Burnley sack coach once heavily tipped for Celtic job

One of the names that was high on the list of prospective future Celtic managers has been sacked by his club, with a brutal, straight to the point, 26 worded statement…

The man in question is Belgian coach Nicky Hayen, a highly regarded coach in his homeland after impressing with Club Brugge.

Nicky Hayen sacked by Burnley

The 26-word statement from Burnley announcing his sacking read:

“Burnley Football Club has dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen with immediate effect. The Board has taken the decision following a disappointing start to the Championship season.”

Hayen has a stack of experience in the coaching word having entered the managerial world at the age of 33 back in 2013.

Most of his early career was spent in the lower reaches of Belgian football, but he sprung to prominence after taking the reins at Club Brugge in 2024, replacing former Celtic manager Ronny Deila.

Hayen would prove to be a massive success as he lead the Belgian outfit to a domestic double as well as leading them to the semi-finals of the conference league, and last 16 of the Champions League.

Hayen was sacked by Brugge in December 2025, but was soon back in the game a fortnight later as he joined Brugge’s domestic rivals KRC Genk.

Grass often isn’t greener than Paradise, Reo latest to find this out

Former Celtic favourite Reo Hatate was also present in the Clarets starting XI in the heavy defeat which sees marooned in the relegation zone, occupying 22nd place in the English Championship.

For Reo he is, so far at least, the latest former Celt to realise that the grass is seldom greener than at Paradise.