Nicky Hayen speaks of his expectations after being appointed as Burnley’s new head coach

Nicky Hayen speaks of his expectations after being appointed as Burnley’s new head coach just as they get pre-season underway.

Earlier this week, Pete O’Rourke revealed the Clarets were in discussions with Genk boss Nicky Hayen, adding that that he is highly-regarded in Belgium after impressing at Club Brugge, who he was named caretaker of in March 2024, turned their fortunes around, and won the Belgian Pro League title for the 2023/24 season.

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.

Burnley Football Club confirm the appointment of Nicky Hayen as the Club’s new Head Coach on a 3-year contract ✍️

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 10, 2026

A statement on the club’s website, before a 3-1 pre-season defeat to FC Cincinnati, read: “Burnley Football Club confirm the appointment of Nicky Hayen as the Club’s new Head Coach on a 3-year contract.

“Hayen joins from Belgian Pro League side KRC Genk. He arrives with a strong recent record, having led Club Brugge to the 2023/24 Belgian Pro League title and an impressive run in the Champions League the following season, reaching the round of 16.

“Hayen was made Head Coach on a permanent basis in June 2024 and whilst at the club he also won the Belgian Cup, Belgian Super Cup and was named Belgian Coach of the Year 2024.

“A former defender, the 45-year-old made over 400 appearances during his playing career in Belgium and the Netherlands.”

Speaking after his appointment, 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.”

Chairman Alan Pace said: “In Nicky we have a coach who builds teams with a clear identity and improves the players around him. That is the football we want at Turf Moor.

“This is a considered appointment that fits how we intend to run the Club. We have backed a clear footballing plan within a sustainable model and Nicky has the support to deliver it. Our focus now is a strong season and a return to the Premier League on solid foundations.”

Nicky Hayen sets out his expectations 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DyFwIOByh8

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 10, 2026

Hayen is heard saying in the video above: “This is our aim. Winning games, going back to the Premier League.

“If I have to tell myself, then the first thing is a hard worker. I came actually out of a region similar like this.

“I’m really humble. So I’d rather prefer that the effort goes to you, to the staff, to the fans, to everyone except for myself. So that’s not important for me. I’m really respectful for a starter, for a sub, for guys who are not selected, for everyone.

“I’m ambitious, I’ll talk about this a little bit later, and I’m emotionally stable.

“So that means if we win three times in a row, don’t expect that I’m going to jump on the table and partying.

“But if you lose three times, and that’s not going to happen this season, I’m not going to sit in a corner and being disappointed, no, I use every opportunity to become stronger and better.

“But I’m just a part of a bigger team. And like I said, the effort, the rewards I don’t want.

“This is the most important. The club. You. These are the most important.

“We are not here actually to stay in the Championship. We want to win games. And you don’t know if you play champion or promotion, but this is our aim. Winning games, going back to the Premier League.

“And it starts today guys. You have a friendly game. I let everyone prepare himself in a comfortable way. I’m just going to observe today, maybe also tomorrow. Just play with joy. Just play with your qualities.

“But show that you like to play with passion on the pitch. The way how I work, I’m honest. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s not good, I will tell you in the face, not in your back.

“Every training session will be with the game mentality. Every time when you come on the pitch, you want to win.

“Even if it’s a small side game, 5v5, 3v3, whatever, you want to win. You want to score. Defenders don’t want to concede a goal. Goalkeeper wants to have a clean sheet.

“That’s the way how we come with this mindset on the pitch. I don’t want egos. No one is more important than the club. And actually not than the team. You will need each other on the pitch.

“And the last word I didn’t say is passion. I don’t see this as a job. I see it first as an opportunity.

“But this football was always my passion. So I will be available 24 hours for you to be successful. You can use me whenever you want.

“So be open, be open-minded. Don’t hesitate if you have questions. And I think if we do all this, then there’s only way and there’s a way out. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

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 lines

It’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 as Nicky Hayen speaks of his expectations after being appointed as Burnley’s new head coach…

@OfficialVizeh: Fair enough, we’re back

@ClaretJD: Great opening talk. I’m glad he mentioned egos, no one is better than the club (are you listening Hartman?)

@Lukehol62732899: Well just off that video I knew nothing about him a week ago let’s just say based off this video he truly has a very big winning mentality let’s get behind him and the players

@TurfCastPodcast: I’m not one to get carried away but we’re winning the lot

@TheBurnleyWay: Anyone got a wall handy I can run through?

@PaulFreeth14136: All a bit like meeting a new People and Culture Director, plenty of word salad buzzwords but refreshing that no resorting to swearing every other word like the last two

@nathanrogersfbl:
“No one is more important than the Club”
Nicky Hayen, you’ll do for me son. 👏🏼
You’ll get the backing from me, hope the players give you theirs.
#twitterclarets

@BradTee93: Man I hope he can walk the walk… coz he certainly can talk the talk

@edwardcassidyy: Got a good feeling about this guy, let’s get behind him and the lads. As he said the only way is up. UTC!

@connorbirniee: okay i’m in, HMS Piss the league has set sail 😍🎉 #twitterclarets

@lisburnclaret: Talks really well, might be a decent choice, lets do this.

@PFCxBFC: What number does Nicky want me to have put on my shirt? What a great start to his leadership. #twitterclarets