Sousa is a two-times European champ with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund

Paulo Sousa admits his ambition is to manage in the Premier League and the Swansea City boss is "flattered" to be linked to the vacant Burnley job.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins has issued a hands-off warning to the Premier League new boys as Burnley look to replace Bolton-bound previous coach Owen Coyle.

But the Portuguese boss did not rule himself out of the Turfmoor post.

"I've said I want to go to the Premier League," said Sousa. "And by doing well and having recognition I can succeed."

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan and Stoke City number two Peter Reid are among the favourites to replace Coyle at Burnley - but coach Steve Davis is caretaker chief for Saturday's Premier League game with Stoke.

But two-times Champions League winner Sousa, who has inspired the Swans into the Championship play-off zone, has been linked with the Burnley job and the possibility of becoming their first foreign manager.

If a manager is relatively successful with a club in the Championship, he is always going to be mentioned when a vacancy comes up in the Premier League Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins

Swansea have already lost one manager to one of Lancashire's Premier League clubs in the last nine months when Roberto Martinez replaced Steve Bruce in the Wigan Athletic hotseat last summer.

Swansea chairman Jenkins admits: "If a manager is relatively successful with a club in the Championship, he is always going to be mentioned when a vacancy comes up in the Premier League.

"But I would say two things. One, I don't think Burnley will be getting in touch with me. And two, even if they do, I think you can state that I won't be letting any club talk to our manager."

Former Portugal midfielder superstar Sousa, though, is used to playing at the top level with Juventus, Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund and admits he has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Premier League.

Sousa admits: "My ambition is to grow and I have said I want to go to the Premier League, of course.

"I am proud to be linked to Burnley. It is very important for me and for everyone to be recognised and it means we're doing well once more.

606: DEBATE Jenkins picks up good, young, hungry managers for little to no outlay and the club develops well under their reigns until either both parties agree to part or we gain a huge fee as compensation ChrisOrmie

"I feel this recognition gives me more strength and more energy to keep doing it my way.

"I am very ambitious person and a manager. I have the hunger and desire to improve and this kind of recognition reinforced this energy to follow that road because this is he right road.

"I have not had any contact at all with Burnley and we don't talk about speculation, only when things are done, we talk about the facts - but not about speculation."

Sousa was sacked by Swansea's Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers in April 2009 after just 26 games.

But the 39-year-old has confirmed his reputation as a promising young manager at the Liberty Stadium, losing just five league games this season and boasting the second meanest defence in the division.

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