Former Haverfordwest County manager Nicky Hayen has been sacked by Championship side Burnley after just three months in charge at Turf Moor.
The Belgian’s short reign came to an end following Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Lincoln City, with the Clarets suffering another damaging setback in their bid to turn around their disappointing start to the season.
Burnley had taken the lead against Lincoln but eventually suffered a heavy defeat, leaving them 22nd in the Championship table. The result was their sixth defeat of the campaign and continued a difficult spell for Hayen, who had been appointed just 106 days earlier.
In a statement, Burnley confirmed the decision to dismiss their head coach with immediate effect.
“Burnley Football Club has dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen with immediate effect,” the statement read.
“The board has taken the decision following a disappointing start to the Championship season.”
Burnley sack Hayen after dismal Championship run
Hayen’s departure follows a difficult opening to the campaign, with Burnley struggling for results and defensive stability.
The Clarets conceded 25 goals in their opening 12 Championship matches, giving them the worst defensive record in the division at that stage of the season.
Hayen also failed to win any of his first eight league games in charge, with his only victory coming in a 4-0 away win against Watford earlier this month.
Across his 12 league matches, the Belgian managed just one victory, while Burnley repeatedly struggled to turn promising positions into points.
Their defeat at Lincoln was particularly damaging, as the hosts recovered from going behind to score four times. The result also meant Burnley had dropped 18 points from winning positions during Hayen’s troubled spell at the club.
How former Haverfordwest County boss reached Turf Moor
Hayen previously managed Welsh side Haverfordwest County, taking charge in December 2021 after replacing Wayne Jones.
County were second from bottom of the Cymru Premier when Hayen arrived on New Year’s Eve, but he helped guide the club to safety and laid the foundations for his subsequent rise in management.
His work in Wales proved an important step in a career that would later take him to the top of Belgian football.
In March 2024, Hayen was appointed interim manager of Club Brugge following the departure of former Celtic boss Ronny Deila.
He made an immediate impact, winning nine of his final 10 games of the season to lead Brugge to the Belgian Pro League title. His achievements strengthened his reputation and helped establish him as one of the country’s most promising coaches.
Hayen subsequently left Club Brugge in December 2025 before taking charge of rivals Genk. He was appointed Burnley manager during the summer, succeeding Scott Parker at Turf Moor.
Craig Bellamy was Burnley’s original target
Burnley had initially explored the possibility of appointing Wales manager Craig Bellamy before turning their attention to Hayen.
Bellamy had previously spent two years at Turf Moor as assistant to Vincent Kompany between 2022 and 2024. The pair had also worked together at Anderlecht, building a coaching relationship before their move to English football.
A return to Burnley appeared possible but talks broke down and Bellamy remained in charge of the Welsh national team.
Burnley subsequently appointed Hayen in the hope that his success in Belgium could translate into results in the Championship.
However, the former Haverfordwest County manager’s time in England has now ended after just 14 games in charge, with the club facing another managerial decision as they look to arrest their disappointing start to the season.
