Burnley are bottom of the Championship with zero wins in their first five matches under manager Nicky Hayen. The Clarets have taken just three points from their opening seven league games, leaving them 24th in the table and facing a critical period.

Hayen was appointed on 16 September 2026, swapping the Belgian Pro League for the English second tier. His move from Genk, where he averaged 1.7 points per game, has so far not produced the desired impact. Burnley's recent form reads LDLDL, with their last outing a 3-1 defeat away to Swansea City on 12 September. Largie Ramazani scored a consolation goal in that match, assisted by Igor Júlio.

The immediate results have not matched the ambition of the appointment. Hayen arrived with a strong reputation, having helped Club Brugge win the Belgian Pro League and cup in recent seasons. His predecessors, Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker, both made successful transitions from Belgian football to Burnley and achieved promotion. The current situation is a stark contrast, with the team conceding 16 goals while scoring only eight.

Hayen is hoping the international break provides a reset. "I think that the international break will give me the time I need to get things right within the squad," the manager said. He also pointed to injuries within the squad as a factor he hopes to overcome with additional time on the training ground.

The fixture list now presents what many see as a must-win game. Burnley host Derby County at Turf Moor on 19 September in a clash between the division's 24th and 22nd-placed teams. A positive result is essential to build momentum and lift the club off the bottom. The full schedule of upcoming challenges is available on our fixtures page.

Despite the difficult start, Hayen's track record in Belgium means he remains a highly regarded coach. His work at Club Brugge cemented his status, and clubs in his former league would be interested if his tenure at Burnley ended prematurely. For now, the focus is solely on halting the slide. The team's current league position and detailed statistics can be found in our standings and stats sections. The immediate task is to prepare for a decisive 90 minutes against Derby this weekend.

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