Burnley are advancing in talks with a 45 year old highly regarded manager, in their search for Scott Parker’s replacement.
According to Pete O’Rourke, the Clarets after in discussions with Genk boss Nicky Hayen, looking to name him their new manager.
He added that Hayen is highly-regarded in Belgium after impressing at Club Brugge, who he was named caretaker of in March 2024, turned their fortunes around, guiding them to the Belgian Pro League title for the 2023/24 season.
Understand Burnley are advancing in talks to name Genk boss Nicky Hayen as their new manager. Hayen is highly-regarded in Belgium after impressing at Club Brugge. #BurnleyFC #TwitterClarets #Genk pic.twitter.com/KaVDvwgBrf
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) July 7, 2026
He got the job permanently in June 2024, and the 2024/25 season, won the Belgian Cup and the Super Cup titles.
On the 8th of December 2025, he was sacked after his side slipped into 3rd place, taking three points from his final four domestic league matches in charge, trailing the league leaders Union by five points. He won 61 of his 102 games in charge of Brugge.
He wasn’t out of a job for long, as Genk came calling, and appointed him on the 22nd of December, winning 13 out of 28 games.
🗞️ Been told Genk are not aware of any talks between Burnley and their manager Nicky Hayen at this stage. #twitterclarets pic.twitter.com/TmOapkmGCu
— TurfCast – Burnley FC Fan Channel (@TurfCastPodcast) July 5, 2026
Nicky Hayen
Genk side: 🤷🏼♂️
Burnley side: 🤝🏼#twitterclarets pic.twitter.com/PILZp1ljm4
— TurfCast – Burnley FC Fan Channel (@TurfCastPodcast) July 5, 2026
Journalist Jordan Rushworth (@rushy_sport) tweeted his thoughts: “Literally have no view positively or negatively about Nicky Hayen.
“The bits you can gather about his style sound like a hybrid between Parker and VK football.
“He will have a very tough job on his hands so will have my backing until he proves he doesn’t deserve. #twitterclarets”
Hayen’s route has been far from ordinary.
Former defender with over 300 senior appearances, largely in Belgium, before moving into coaching at Dender, Sint-Truiden, Waasland-Beveren and then Haverfordwest County.
From there: Club NXT, Club Brugge, and now Genk.
A proper…
— The Burnley Way (@TheBurnleyWay) July 5, 2026
Tactically, he’s generally used a 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 base.
In possession:
– wide players stay high
– full-backs can invert or step inside
– midfielders create overloads around the ball
– plenty of movement between the linesIt’s possession-based, but not just passing for the sake…
— The Burnley Way (@TheBurnleyWay) July 5, 2026
Out of possession is where it gets interesting.
His Brugge side often dropped into a compact 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-2 mid-block. Less “all-out press”, more control of central spaces and forcing teams wide/long.
Expect structure, young-player development and a cleaner buildup.
What are…
— The Burnley Way (@TheBurnleyWay) July 5, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted amid reports Burnley are advancing in talks with the 45 year old highly regarded manager.
@Ted_drewett: Would be great, wanted him when he was sacked in December. However if it is him it does make you think why couldn’t we have just got him then instead of buying him out of genk now? Could’ve maybe kept us up and at least would’ve given the lads time to learn his style
@liampreston83: looks like he’s managed a lot of clubs and not lasted very long at any of them……
@alex_town6: Claret living in belgium here, so know a thing or two about the belgian league. I said to my dad half way through the season when he got sacked from club brugge we should of gone for him. Won the league for club Brugge after Parker had made a mess of the season and overperformed. In the champions league. Got unfairly sacked last year cos he fell out with the board because the did not invest enough to his liking. Went into Genk quite quick but there is something about the team that is really tough to manage like some egos. He also got brugge in con quartf.
@ParkersCardigan: Any Bob Lorders who have palpitations watching us playing it out from the back had better hope it’s not Nicky Hayen 🙈🙈
@Jdenson1997: That’s enough for me. Get him in
@Carlosgatti74: He likes his team to build from the back, but not for the sake of it. If space opens up, they’ll play forward quickly rather than keep passing sideways. Wouldn’t say no to him better option than some we’ve been linked with did a decent job at club brugge too
@LiamRichmond_: Online it says Hayen has an open contract with Genk, no fixed date, that would make compensation less and easy to buyout you’d have thought.
@rhamilton1882: Wouldn’t be my choice but at this point the longer we leave it the longer we will be fucked so yeah get him in
@uptheclarets22: VK recommendation perhaps?
@b1llwwfc: That is an unreal appointment. How the fuck have they done that
@dzi_analysis: Woahhhhh!!! This is mega for Burnley! Superb at Club Brugge, I was thoroughly impressed.
@ClaretJD: Looks like terms are agreed with Hayen. Just Genk to negotiate with now as he’s only 6 months into his contract.
@Jdenson1997: He’s signed an ‘open ended contract’ so that’ll be easier. Excited. It could be a disaster but we’ve tried the safe appointment in Parker and that ended badly. Everything I’ve read about him is positive though
@TonySingle11052: Sounds good however if he is another Vincent kompany and if the club don’t back him recruitment wise enough not only to secure promotion this season but to compete in the premier league the season after we could yet again be looking for another new manager
@Ted_drewett: Great decision imo but why wasn’t it done in December after he was sacked?
@JordanellisJ: After doing a bit of research on Nicky I’m so fucking ready for this!! Tresor redemption arc pending
@mickyshoeshine:
Proof of the pudding will be in the taste testing.
I would just like the manager/coach to be sorted, but encouraged by Hayden’s footballing philosophy. Could be exciting times ahead 🙏
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