Former CSKA Moscow head coach Fabio Celestini has emerged as a leading contender to become Burnley’s next manager following Nicky Hayen’s dismissal after Saturday’s defeat against Lincoln City.
The Clarets are searching for a new head coach after Hayen was relieved of his duties just hours after his side suffered a 4-1 defeat at Sincil Bank. Burnley had taken the lead through Andréas Hountondji, but Ben House equalised before half-time, before two goals from Mikkel Ladefoged and another from Dom Jefferies completed a comprehensive victory for the Imps.
The defeat left Burnley 22nd in the Championship, with just one league win from their opening 12 fixtures, and prompted the club to end Hayen’s tenure less than four months after his appointment.
Celestini Emerges As Leading Candidate
According to The Athletic, 50-year-old Celestini is now a strong contender for the vacancy, with sources suggesting he has already travelled to England alongside members of his coaching staff. However, negotiations are understood to be ongoing, and the details of any potential appointment have yet to be finalised.
The former Switzerland international has been out of management since leaving CSKA Moscow in May, having spent less than a year in Russia. He was appointed in June 2025 after enjoying considerable success with Basel, where he guided the Swiss club to a domestic league and cup double during the 2024/25 campaign.
Celestini began his managerial career in Italy before taking charge of Lausanne-Sport in 2015, leading them to promotion to the Swiss top flight. He subsequently managed Lugano, Luzern and Sion before being appointed by Basel in October 2023, when the club were bottom of the Swiss Super League.
His work at Basel restored the club to the summit of Swiss football, although his subsequent move to CSKA Moscow attracted criticism in Switzerland because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Celestini won the Russian Super Cup shortly after taking charge but departed by mutual consent in May 2026 following a difficult run of results.
Burnley Face Important Decision
Burnley’s search comes at a particularly difficult point in their season, with the club facing the possibility of consecutive relegations after dropping out of the Premier League earlier this year.
Former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards had also been linked with the vacancy, although reports suggest he has rejected an approach, while the club came close to appointing Wales manager Craig Bellamy during the summer before turning to Hayen.
The Clarets have also confirmed the appointment of Diego López as chief football officer, with the former Genoa executive taking responsibility for the club’s football operations and sporting structure. His arrival comes at a time when Burnley are attempting to stabilise their Championship campaign and rebuild confidence following a difficult opening three months.
Celestini would represent another appointment from outside English football, following Hayen’s unsuccessful spell, although his achievements in Switzerland demonstrate a track record of rebuilding a struggling side and delivering silverware.
Burnley face Portsmouth at Turf Moor on Saturday, with the club still searching for its first home league victory in more than a year.
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