Rooney: It's a compliment to see Burnley links but Derby comes first

Wayne Rooney has described reports linking him with the open Burnley manager's post as "a compliment," but he has reaffirmed his devotion to

. 

Rooney, the head coach of Derby County, was mentioned as a possible replacement for Burnley's long-serving manager

Sean Dyche

, who was dismissed by the

club on Friday. 

In his time as manager of the Clarets, Dyche has managed 425 games, including 258 in the Premier League. Only six other coaches in the tournament have taken in more matches with a single team.

Dyche's reign was the longest in the Premier League previous to his sacking, at nine years and 167 days; J

urgen Klopp

's tenure at Liverpool (six years and 189 days as of Friday) was a distant second. 

With eight fixtures remaining, Dyche leaves Burnley in 18th place in the Premier League, four points from safety, leaving little time to find a replacement. 

Mike Jackson, the Burnley Under-23s manager, will manage the first team at West Ham on Sunday, aided by a staff that includes injured captain Ben Mee, although Sam Allardyce, like Rooney, has been connected with the job.

The former Manchester United and England skipper was also rumored to be a possibility for Everton before Frank Lampard was chosen, but he is currently at Derby County, battling to avoid relegation from the

.

"I think it's a compliment to me and the staff, what we've been trying to do here," Rooney said after a 2-1 win over league-leading Fulham on Friday. "[It was] the same with Everton, when you get linked with Premier League clubs.

"I was surprised when I saw that Sean Dyche had been sacked, he's been brilliant for Burnley over the last 10 years.

"Obviously, I've seen the links, I've seen in the news, various news articles that I've been linked.

"But for me what's important is I focus on trying to keep this club in this division. And the future, my future depends on this takeover, that needs to be completed."

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