Burnley have appointed former Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini as head coach, a day after dismissing Nicky Hayen. The 50‑year‑old, who left his most recent post at CSKA Moscow in May, will take charge of the club’s first match in the Championship on Saturday against Portsmouth.
The club’s announcement came without a stated contract length, but its statement praised Celestini’s “proven capacity to win and to adapt to different football environments.” Chief football officer Diego López, who joined the club earlier this week, said the new manager “brings the passion, experience and knowledge we were looking for” and highlighted his “extraordinary determination and conviction” to join Burnley. López added that the club seeks people who truly want to be there and help the club grow, describing Celestini as a clear example of that commitment.
Celestini’s coaching résumé includes spells at Swiss clubs Lugano, Luzern, Sion and Basel, where he guided Basel from the bottom of the table to a league and cup double in 18 months. His most recent role was with CSKA Moscow, a tenure that ended in May. The former midfielder, who earned 35 caps for Switzerland and spent a decade playing in France and Spain, said on the club’s website that he sees Burnley as a club with “big potential and players with real quality” and that he is ready to help the supporters see a team playing with belief from the first whistle.
Burnley are currently struggling in the Championship, having won only one of their 12 league games since relegation from the Premier League. The appointment of Celestini follows the sacking of Hayen, who had been in charge for just a few weeks. The new manager will face a challenging fixture list as he looks to reverse the club’s poor run of form.
Celestini’s debut will come in Saturday’s home match against Portsmouth, where he will have the opportunity to implement his ideas and try to lift the club’s fortunes. The club’s board and fans will be watching closely to see whether his experience and adaptability can translate into improved results in the coming weeks.