Burnley have confirmed the appointment of former FC Basel manager Fabio Celestini as the club’s new head coach, following the dismissal of Nicky Hayen after just fourteen games in charge. The 50‑year‑old, who has spent most of his coaching career in Switzerland, takes over a Clarets side that have struggled in the Championship, having secured only one win in 22 league matches and occupying the bottom spot in the table.
Celestini’s résumé includes a domestic double with Basel in the 2024‑25 season, where the Swiss club captured both the Super League title and the Swiss Cup. His most recent role was with CSKA Moscow, where he guided the team to victory in the Russian Super Cup before leaving by mutual consent in May after eleven months at the helm. Prior to his coaching career, Celestini played professionally for clubs such as Lausanne, Marseille, Levante and Getafe, and earned 35 caps for Switzerland as a midfielder.
In a statement, Celestini expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, noting that he sees “big potential” in Burnley’s squad and believes the players possess the quality needed to meet the supporters’ ambitions. He added that he is familiar with the pressures of the role and is committed to delivering a team that plays with belief from the first whistle. Diego López, who was appointed director of football two days earlier, praised Celestini’s passion, experience and determination, saying that the former Basel boss exemplifies the qualities the club seeks in its leadership.
The club’s current form has been a concern, with Burnley failing to win at home in league competition for more than a year and suffering a 4‑1 defeat to Lincoln City in their final match under Hayen. Celestini’s arrival follows the appointment of López, who will be responsible for overseeing the search for a new manager and steering the club’s broader sporting strategy.
Details of Celestini’s contract have not yet been disclosed. The club’s board remains focused on stabilising the team’s performance in the Championship, with the new manager expected to bring fresh tactics and renewed confidence to a side that has struggled to find consistency since the end of the Premier League campaign. Burnley’s supporters will now look to Celestini to reverse the club’s fortunes and restore competitiveness in England’s second tier.