Nicky Hayen’s Last Words As Burnley Manager Following Lincoln City Defeat

The written press conference is usually the final media engagement a manager undertakes after a match, following television and radio interviews, and Hayen had already cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle. The Belgian disappeared straight down the tunnel without shaking hands with Lincoln’s management team, later explaining that his disappointment had prompted him to head inside. By the time he emerged to speak to the written press, his future was already the subject of considerable speculation, although nobody in the room knew quite how quickly matters would develop.

Hayen had been in charge of Burnley for just 14 matches, having been appointed on 10 July following Scott Parker’s departure at the end of April. The former Club Brugge coach had been tasked with leading the Clarets back to the Premier League, but instead found himself overseeing a difficult start to life in the Championship. Saturday’s defeat left Burnley 22nd in the table, with six defeats from their opening 12 league fixtures and the division’s worst defensive record, having conceded 25 goals.

The afternoon had begun reasonably well for the visitors, who took the lead through Andréas Hountondji in the 39th minute. However, Ben House equalised for Lincoln in first-half stoppage time before Mikkel Ladefoged scored twice and Dom Jefferies added another during a devastating second-half spell. Burnley’s players were jeered by their own supporters, many of whom headed for the exits long before Marcus Edwards saw a late penalty saved, while protests against chairman Alan Pace added to an increasingly hostile atmosphere in the away end.

Speaking after the game, Hayen admitted that his side had struggled to cope with Lincoln’s growing confidence, particularly after conceding the equaliser just before the interval.

“Really difficult,” he said, with a degree of composure for a man under so much pressure.

“We knew the way they played, a very vertical style of play, especially against the wind. It was difficult, with long balls into our 18-yard box, duels and second balls, and we actually managed it quite well.

“We didn’t play our best game in the first half. We didn’t find the structure, we didn’t play fast enough within the structure, but once we did, we came out and created a few corners. One was really well worked, practised in training yesterday, and saved on the line. The second one was a goal.

“You try to manage it until half-time, and then again we concede a way-too-easy goal. It’s not the first time this season, and then you feel it’s again a matter of confidence. In the second half, we made it way too easy for the opponent. You feel the opponent getting a lot of motivation and confidence, and we were struggling with that.”

It was a familiar problem for Burnley, who had also surrendered leads in recent matches against Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite recording an impressive 4-0 victory over Watford earlier in October, they had been unable to build on that result, and the defeat at Sincil Bank extended a miserable sequence that had seen them win just once in their previous 24 league matches.

The travelling supporters made their feelings clear throughout the afternoon, with chants questioning the commitment of the players and demanding changes at the top of the club. Those frustrations only increased as Lincoln scored three times between the 50th and 68th minutes, leaving Burnley facing another heavy defeat. Marcus Edwards’ late penalty was saved by George Wickens, adding another disappointment to an afternoon in which very little had gone right for the visitors.

Hayen was asked what he would say to supporters who had travelled to Lincoln and witnessed another damaging result, and the Belgian offered an apology while acknowledging that words alone would do little to ease their anger.

“I apologise for this performance and the situation we’re in at the moment. But I also know that it doesn’t matter to them because they’re really frustrated, and I can totally understand and accept it.

“We can keep on working hard. That’s the only thing we can do, but I totally understand the frustration.”

Given Burnley’s league position, recent results and the reaction from the away end, it was inevitable that Hayen would also be questioned about his future. The 45-year-old had arrived in England with a reputation enhanced by winning the Belgian league title with Club Brugge in 2024, but his first experience of English football had proved considerably more difficult.

When asked directly whether he believed he could continue as Burnley manager following the defeat, Hayen conceded that his position was uncertain. His answer was particularly significant given what followed, with the Belgian acknowledging that the decision was no longer in his hands and insisting that he could only continue working for as long as the club allowed him to do so.

“I don’t know. I know how it goes, or how it can go, in football. I’m aware of that.

“But I said to you last time as well, I’m not going to lose my energy on this because that’s the decision of the board. Of course, I know when you have results like this, it can become difficult.

“But again, every day that I get, I will work really hard, the hardest that I can. That’s the only thing I can do.”

Those would prove to be among Hayen’s final public comments as Burnley manager. Within two hours of the defeat, and just minutes after he had spoken to the written press, the Clarets confirmed that he had been relieved of his duties, ending his spell at Turf Moor less than four months after his appointment.

He held himself with dignity and composure during the press conference, probably knowing he was on his way out of the door, and for that, from me at least, he gets a degree of respect.