A poor start to the season has seen Burley come under pressure, with newspaper reports suggesting he could become the club's director of football, with a new coach being brought in.

"There is no doubt that the pressure is building up with the speculation, I can't do anything about that," said Burley, who still has three years left on his contract.

"If you put three wins together that changes it all. The results are not going right and as manager I am accountable.

"But I have every confidence that we can turn it round, we've got to battle hard to turn it around, which can happen quickly.

"Because we are behind with games due to Europe, it doesn't read well in terms of league position."

Chairman David Sheepshanks dismissed suggestions a new coach could be appointed, but did not comment on Burley's future with the club.

"I have read and heard of the reports in the press about rumours of action that we are apparently taking," he said.

"And I can say there is no truth whatsoever in the idea that we are appointing a senior coach.

"I have always believed managers must appoint their own staff and the notion that a chairman or a board can appoint a coach to work under a manager is a ridiculous one."

Ipswich head to Yugoslavia for Thursday's Uefa Cup second leg game against FK Sartid with the club no doubt hoping for a money-spinning run in Europe.

But more importantly to the future prospects of Burley and his players will be the three following games against Wimbledon, Grimsby and Sheffield Wednesday.

Just over a year ago Burley was named manager of the year after guiding the Tractor Boys to fifth in the Premiership.

But relegation came at the worst possible time, with the club hitting financial problems.

Swift return

They have been forced to let go of Marcus Stewart and Titus Bramble, while skipper Matt Holland was close to a �3m switch to Aston Villa.

And the players have been asked to take a 10% pay cut, which would be payable at the end of the season should they gain promotion.

Considering the current financial situation at the club it was vital the club got off to a good start as they aim for a swift return to the top flight.

But they find themselves fourth bottom of the league after picking up just eight points from nine games.

And that has led to talk Burley could be the first high-profile casualty of the season.