Burnley appoint Fabio Celestini with Championship recovery the immediate priority
Fabio Celestini has taken over as Burnley head coach four days after Nicky Hayen was sacked. The former Switzerland midfielder arrives with the Clarets 22nd in the Championship.
Burnley appoint Fabio Celestini as head coach at a point when their Championship season is already under pressure. The Clarets confirmed the former Switzerland midfielder’s arrival on 2026-10-28, four days after sacking Nicky Hayen.
Celestini, 50, replaces Hayen with Burnley sitting 22nd in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League. The club have won only one of their 12 league games this season.
A recovery job shaped by the league table
Burnley’s decision places Celestini straight into a demanding Championship environment. The Clarets are 22nd, and their return to the second tier after Premier League relegation has so far been marked by a lack of league wins.
The key figure around the appointment is stark: one victory from 12 league matches. That run leaves Burnley needing an immediate shift in results under their new head coach.
For supporters following the league table, the appointment is less about a long build-up and more about whether Burnley can quickly find stability. The position inherited by Celestini gives his opening weeks clear significance, with every Championship match carrying added weight.
Celestini arrives with Basel experience
Celestini is a former Switzerland midfielder and has previously managed Basel, where he had a successful spell. Burnley’s announcement presents him as the figure chosen to lead the next stage of the club’s season after Hayen’s departure.
The club said Celestini
arrives with a proven capacity to win and to adapt to different football environments
That emphasis on adaptability is notable given Burnley’s current circumstances. The Clarets are dealing with the demands of a Championship campaign immediately after relegation from the Premier League, a situation that often requires fast adjustment in both results and rhythm.
Hayen replaced after brief four-day gap
Celestini’s appointment came four days after Burnley sacked Nicky Hayen. The timing means the club have moved quickly to install a new head coach rather than extending the period between managerial changes.
Hayen’s exit and Celestini’s arrival are directly linked by the club’s league position and run of results. Burnley’s form across the first 12 league games has left the new head coach with little room for a slow start.
The club have not disclosed the length of Celestini’s contract. His immediate public brief, however, is clear from the table: Burnley need to improve their Championship results after a difficult opening spell.
What comes next for Burnley
Celestini now takes charge of a side trying to move away from 22nd place in the Championship. With one win in 12 league games, the first task is to turn Burnley’s performances into points and begin changing the direction of their season.
For a club recently in the Premier League, the appointment brings a new voice to a squad under pressure. Celestini’s challenge is to make that change count quickly in the league table.