Burnley have named Fabio Celestini as their new head coach, four days after parting company with Nicky Hayen. Celestini's arrival follows Hayen's dismissal after a brief 14-game spell that concluded in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 loss against Lincoln City. The club have not disclosed the details of the 50-year-old's contract as he takes over at the helm.
The appointment was spearheaded by Diego Lopez, who was brought in earlier this week as director of football with the responsibility of finding a new manager. Celestini takes charge of a Clarets squad currently sitting 22nd in the Championship table after winning just once in the league this season. Their difficult start continues a slump that stretches back to a torrid Premier League campaign last term, leaving the club without a home league victory for more than a year. Endorsing the new head coach, Lopez stated: "Fabio brings the passion, experience and knowledge we were looking for. He showed extraordinary determination and conviction to come to Burnley. We want people who truly want to be here and help this club grow. Fabio is a clear example of that."
Celestini arrives with a notable track record, having guided FC Basel to a domestic double in the 2024-25 season by winning both the Swiss Super League title and the Swiss Cup. A former midfielder who earned 35 caps for Switzerland, he featured for clubs including Marseille, Levante, Getafe, and his principal side Lausanne during his playing career. His managerial journey began in Italy with Terracina before taking on Swiss roles with Sion, Lucerne, Lugano, and Lausanne. Most recently, he lifted the Russian Super Cup with Russian Premier League side CSKA Moscow, where his 11-month tenure ended by mutual agreement in May.
Faced with the challenge of reversing Burnley's fortunes, Celestini is set on inspiring an immediate reaction from the squad. "I look at Burnley and I see a club with big potential and players with real quality, who can help us achieve our supporters' ambitions," Celestini said. "I know the situation we are in, and I have lived it before. Our supporters deserve to see a team playing with belief from the first whistle."