Burnley, a Championship rival for Lincoln City this season, are progressing in talks to appoint Genk head coach Nicky Hayen as their new manager, filling the vacancy left by Scott Parker’s April departure.
The Turf Moor club are understood to have made the 45-year-old their leading target, with discussions ongoing with Genk over a possible appointment. A deal has not yet been completed, but Burnley’s search appears to have moved towards the Belgian coach after previous interest in other candidates, including Craig Bellamy, failed to produce an agreement.
Burnley had explored a move for Wales manager Bellamy, but that collapsed during talks around the make-up of his backroom staff. Former Wolves boss Rob Edwards is also understood to have turned down an approach, leaving the Clarets to consider alternatives as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
Hayen would be a surprise and arrive with an unusual CV, having spent time in Welsh football with Haverfordwest County before returning to Belgium with Club Brugge. His work in Wales earned praise, with Haverfordwest chairman Rob Edwards describing him as a coach with “an aura” and “a workaholic” approach to analysis and preparation.
After leaving Haverfordwest, Hayen joined Club Brugge’s set-up and later stepped into the senior job, where his reputation grew significantly. He led Brugge to the Belgian Pro League title in 2023/24, followed by the Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup in 2025. His Brugge side also impressed in Europe, reaching the Champions League last 16 before being knocked out by Aston Villa.
That success did not prevent his departure from Brugge in December 2025, a decision which was met with surprise in Belgium. He was soon appointed by Genk, taking charge later that month, and eventually guided them to a seventh-place finish, although they missed out on European qualification.
Hayen is regarded as a possession-based coach, but not one locked into a single approach. His teams have generally been associated with playing out from the back, quick ball recoveries and aggressive forward movement, while he has also shown a willingness to adapt against stronger opponents. His preferred shape has often been a 4-2-3-1, although reports in Belgium and Lancashire have pointed to his flexibility during matches.
That adaptability may be important at Burnley, who are trying to reset after finishing 19th in the Premier League and dropping straight back into the Championship. The club are due to head to the United States for pre-season, with fixtures arranged against FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake.
Burnley visit the Bank on October 24th, our second 3 pm Saturday afternoon kick-off of the season. Lincoln City then head to Turf Moor on December 29th, our first visit since the famous FA Cup win in 2017.