PHIL Brown has confirmed his interest in becoming Bury manager but could be on a collision course with Wanderers coach Sammy Lee.

Both men are thought to be on a five-strong short-list to fill the post drawn up by the Shakers board, who will be interviewing candidates this week with a view to unveiling the new manager before Saturday’s trip to Stevenage.

Brown, who has been out of a job since being sacked by Preston last December, gave a not so subtle hint that he would be interested in jumping to the aid of Bury, who are currently rock-bottom in League One, without a win in their first eight matches.

“I’m desperate to get back at some stage,” Brown told BBC Radio Manchester on Saturday.

“That can be in any division, with any football club talking the same sense as me that can be improved with the opportunity or chance to get promotion to take the club forward.

“If that were the case I’m interested in a club that is without a manager at the moment.”

Peter Shirtliff, who was put in temporary charge of Bury after Richie Barker left for Crawley five days before the start of the season, was told on Friday that he would not be interviewed for the full-time position.