Chris Wilder's camp have hit back at claims that the Middlesbrough manager watched a Burnley game from the Turf Moor directors’ box behind Sean Dyche’s back before he was sacked.
Wilder, 54, has not ruled out succeeding Dyche as Burnley boss, although Boro will fight to keep him at the Riverside.
Sam Allardyce and Slaven Bilic are among the other contenders and it is understood Burnley may also speak to Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany and Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said on talkSPORT: ‘When you rock up at the directors’ box, and you’re invited by the directors, and you don’t tell the manager of Burnley you’re going there, there’s an element of etiquette that might (have led to) him and Sean not being the greatest of mates.