Clarets confirm appointment of former Belgian coach of the year as new head coach

Burnley have confirmed the appointment of Nicky Hayen as their new head coach, on a three-year contract. The 45-year-old Belgian arrives at Turf Moor with a decorated coaching record, most recently leading Club Brugge to the 2023/24 Belgian Pro League title and, the following season, the Champions League round of 16. He also secured the Belgian Cup and Super Cup, and was named Belgian Coach of the Year in 2024. Hayen said: "I'm pleased to be joining a club with real history and supporters who care deeply about it. "I know most of them won't know much about me yet, that's fair and it's on me to change it. "What I can tell them is how my teams play. "We keep the ball, we press with purpose, and we trust young players with real minutes, not just a place on the bench. "I'm really looking forward to working with the squad in the US on the pre-season tour. "The hard work starts there." Hayen joins from KRC Genk having built a strong reputation for developing players and establishing a clear tactical identity. He will join the squad during their pre-season tour of the United States, where they will face FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Real Salt Lake. Burnley will then travel to Amsterdam to play Ajax, before returning to Turf Moor for fixtures against Espanyol and Torino FC. Interim head coach Mike Jackson will lead the team for tonight's match against FC Cincinnati, which kicks off at 7.30pm local time, 00:30am BST (Saturday).