Burnley have terminated the contract of head coach Nicky Hayen after a disastrous start to the 2026‑27 Championship campaign. The Belgian, who took charge in July, was dismissed after just one win in 12 league fixtures and a 4‑1 home defeat to Lincoln City on 24 October. The club issued a concise 26‑word statement confirming the decision and noting the board’s disappointment with the season’s opening phase.
Hayen’s tenure began with a narrow Carabao Cup victory over League One side Notts County, but the team was eliminated in the next round by Bradford on penalties. His only league triumph came on 10 October, when the Clarets routed Watford 4‑0. Since then, the club has struggled to find form, occupying the third‑bottom spot in the table and registering the joint‑worst defensive record in the Championship. The 4‑1 loss to Lincoln, the most recent of the 12 matches, cemented the decision to part ways.
In a post‑match interview, Hayen expressed frustration with the team’s inability to translate training effort into matchday execution. He highlighted defensive lapses and the failure to prevent “easy goals” as key issues, acknowledging that the club’s performance has been “frustrating for everyone, especially the fans.” He apologized to supporters, admitting that the results were unsatisfactory and that the board would have to consider a change if the trend continued.
The club’s statement read: “Burnley Football Club has dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen with immediate effect. The Board has taken the decision following a disappointing start to the Championship season.” No replacement has been named, and the board indicated that a new appointment would be sought promptly to steer the club away from the relegation zone.
With the season still in its early stages, Burnley now faces the challenge of stabilising the squad and securing a managerial appointment that can reverse the downward trajectory. The club’s next fixtures will test any interim leadership, while supporters await news on who will take the helm in the coming weeks.