GRAEME Souness has ruled himself out of the running to become the new Burnley manager.

The former Blackburn Rovers boss was the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Steve Cotterill, who parted company with the Clarets last Thursday.

Souness has played and managed in the top flight in England, Scotland and on the continent for most of his career, but stepping down to Championship level would not be the stumbling block for the 54-year-old, especially following his attempt to head a £20million consortium to take over Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this year.

Instead, the rivalry between Burnley and former club Blackburn is one of the key factors in holding him back.

"That would be an impossible job for me to do because of my Blackburn connections," said Souness, adding that other interests, including his media work, meant that he was in no rush to return to a managerial hotseat at any club.

"I've been linked with a lot of jobs recently but I'm busy with other things.

"Unless something really excites me, I won't be making a comeback."