Burley to be offered manager's job at Stoke

George Burley is set to make a swift return to management with Stoke City. The former Ipswich Town manager, sacked just a fortnight ago, is expected to be offered the Britannia Stadium post today in preference to his two leading rivals for the job, Bryan Robson and Tony Pulis.

Burley appeals to Stoke as he has a pedigree and is also unemployed, one of the major factors for the cash-strapped club who had to rule out candidates tied by compensation clauses. The quietly spoken and respected Scot is willing to take on the challenge in the Potteries, where money is tight, and has done similar tasks in the past at clubs with small budgets.

Robson was wanted by elements within the Stoke board, but the alternative choice of Burley swung the vote. Pulis, who has just completed a long compensation dispute with Portmsouth, also had his supporters but Burley's instant availability and recent work experience has stood him in good stead.

The Leeds United manager, Terry Venables, says that both his club and Middlesbrough are now looking to draw a line under the bitter row which yesterday culminated in George Boateng effectively clearing Nick Barmby of racism. The Middlesbrough midfielder Boateng is understood initially to have accused Barmby of making racist comments "against his brethren and his wife" following Saturday's ill-tempered 2-2 draw on Teesside. Barmby vehemently denied Boateng's allegation, stating he had been "devastated" by the accusation.

A statement issued through Boateng's agent, Barry Silkman, attempted to defuse the row. "Following weekend press reports, Monday's Leeds United press conference and intense media speculation, George Boateng wishes to clarify a number of matters which have been inaccurately reported and debated in the media," it read.

"First of all, while there was clearly an altercation between George and Nick Barmby at the end of Saturday's game and words were exchanged in the heat of the moment, George wishes to make clear that he has never accused Nick of making racist remarks as he knows this to be untrue.

"Secondly, George wants to make clear that he wanted to put their altercation behind them after the game and made attempts to see Nick to do so.

"Leeds United felt the matter was closed and that no meeting was necessary. However, George was upset that some very derogatory comments were made to him at the end of the game. His reaction was a result of those remarks that were made to him."

The statement, though, falls short of the public apology both Barmby and Venables had demanded, although the Leeds manager is happy with the wording, which was cleared by the Elland Road club.

"They said they would be prepared to fax us, which they sent over and we were OK with it," said Venables. "Nick was unfortunate to be put in the position he was in the first place. No one wants it. As far as I'm concerned the situation is closed."

The Football Association, though, has yet to make a judgement on the matter for it is conducting an investigation into the unsavoury events which unfolded after the referee, Rob Styles, blew his final whistle. Following a face-to-face confrontation between Boateng and Barmby, the Dutchman then spat at the feet of the Leeds midfielder and Jonathan Woodgate, sparking a 12-man scuffle as players from both sides pushed and jostled one another. The feud continued in the tunnel where Barmby, who has two gashes on his right cheek, alleges that he was scratched by Boateng.

Apart from any other FA charge, Boateng could face action for manhandling the assistant referee, Chris Bassindale, as he made a further attempt to confront Barmby on the pitch.