Burnley sack Nicky Hayen after 14 games in charge

Burnley have sacked head coach Nicky Hayen after 14 games in charge following Saturday's 4-1 Championship defeat at Lincoln City. The Clarets had led 1-0 but suffered their sixth defeat of the campaign, leaving them 22nd in the table.

Burnley announced the decision in a two-sentence club statement within two hours of the defeat at the ProAmpac Stadium. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Hayen had said of his future: "I'm not going to lose my energy because this is something out of my hands."

Hayen had been brought in by owner Alan Pace to oversee a promotion bid. Burnley had won just one of their past 24 league games and conceded 25 goals in their opening 12 Championship matches, the worst defensive record in the division.

• Burnley appointed Nicky Hayen as head coach on 10 July 2026 on a three-year contract, bringing him to Turf Moor from Belgian club KRC Genk.
• Hayen led Club Brugge to the 2023/24 Belgian Pro League title and took the club to the Champions League round of 16 the following season.