Burnley are in talks with Swiss coach Fabio Celestini for their vacant managerial position. The 50-year-old has emerged as a strong contender to replace the sacked Nicky Hayen as the club fights to climb from the Championship relegation zone, where they sit 22nd with just eight points from a record of one win, five draws and six defeats.
Hayen was dismissed after just 106 days in charge, having won only one of his 12 league games. Burnley currently sit 22nd in the table with just eight points from a dozen matches, a situation highlighted by last week's 4-1 defeat at Lincoln City where Andréas Hountondji scored their solitary goal. The search for a new boss has now focused on Celestini, who is understood to have travelled to England with his staff for discussions.
Fabio Celestini brings a 12-year managerial career, primarily in Switzerland, where he managed Lausanne-Sport, Lugano, Luzern and Sion. His most notable success came at FC Basel, where he won the Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup in the 2024/25 season. He later managed CSKA Moscow, winning the Russian Super Cup, and has been out of work since leaving the Russian club in May.
The club's recent form shows the need for a swift appointment. Their last five results have yielded one win, two draws and two defeats, with consecutive losses to Wolves and Lincoln leaving them deep in trouble. They followed a 1-2 home defeat to Wolves, where Jamie Vardy scored, with the heavy loss at Lincoln. They have conceded 25 goals while scoring 17 this season, giving them a goal difference of minus eight. Other candidates like Rob Edwards held talks but backed out, while Carlos Corberan is reportedly holding out for a Premier League role. This has made Celestini, described as a 'strong contender', the leading figure in the process.
The new manager, whenever appointed, will have a critical task to organise a squad that has struggled for consistency and points.
Background and full detail: Burnley Express
