Nicky Hayen's Burnley spell cut short: Clarets part ways with manager after poor start

Burnley, stuck in the Championship relegation zone, have sacked manager Nicky Hayen after just 12 matches in charge.

Having parted ways with Scott Parker in April following last season's relegation from the Premier League, Burnley handed the reins at Turf Moor to Nicky Hayen. The former Club Brugge and Genk head coach was tasked with taking the Clarets straight back to the top flight, but with only one league win in the weeks played so far, Burnley now face the threat of a second successive relegation.

Following Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Lincoln City, Burnley have conceded 25 goals in 12 matches, sharing the Championship's worst defensive record with Preston North End. They have faced 64 shots on target, and their expected goals against (xGA) figure of 20.01 is the fifth-worst in the league.

Announcing the departure a few hours after the Lincoln defeat, the club said in a brief statement: "Burnley Football Club has relieved head coach Nicky Hayen of his duties with immediate effect. The board took this decision following a disappointing start to the Championship season."

Burnley's next league fixture is at home to Portsmouth on 31 October. Should they fail to take three points in front of their own supporters, the Clarets face one of the darkest runs in the club's history. Burnley's last home league win came in the Premier League against Leeds United on 18 October 2025, and they are now at risk of breaking the record for the longest winless home run, measured in days, across England's top four divisions.