Southampton boss Burley was on an initial five-man shortlist compiled by the SFA in the search for Alex McLeish's successor.
Souness Snubbed By SFA!
Former Derby County manager Billy Davies ruled himself out of the running, while Graeme Souness, Tommy Burns and Mark McGhee were also interviewed.
McGhee, for a long time the favourite for the job, shot himself in the foot by insisting he would not leave Motherwell (where he is manager) until the summer.
The SFA wanted a manager as soon as possible.