EFL boss immediately sacked just hours after latest defeat

Burnley sacked head coach Nicky Hayen hours after a 1-0 defeat to Lincoln left them bottom of the Championship with one win in 12 games.

Burnley Football Club has dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen with immediate effect following a disappointing start to the Championship season. The Belgian manager was unable to prevent the Clarets from suffering their sixth loss in 12 games on Saturday, a defeat to newly-promoted Lincoln that came despite taking the lead. The loss leaves Burnley in 22nd place in the second tier, having won just one game all campaign after their relegation from the Premier League last season.

Hayen had spoken to talkSPORT post-match about his uncertain future at the club, acknowledging the difficult run of results and apologising to supporters. "I know how it goes in football, especially with the results we have had in the last few weeks," he said, adding that he hoped to continue but understood the reality of the situation. The club wasted no time in making their decision, announcing his dismissal just hours after the Lincoln defeat. Burnley legend Ben Mee suggested the manager would "get the brunt of it" given squad issues, with some players potentially unhappy at the club after failing to secure summer moves.