3 managers Burnley must target if Alan Pace makes Nicky Hayen sack decision | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three potential options to replace Nicky Hayen at Turf Moor if Burnley sack the Belgian

Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen is under intense pressure already to turn the Clarets' fortunes around after a dismal start to life at Turf Moor, as Football League World takes a look at three potential replacements in the event of his departure.

Upon their return to the Championship, many had expected Burnley to be fighting in and around the top of the second tier table, but so far, that has proven to be far from the case.

In fact, after five games, Nicky Hayen's side sit at the bottom of the league with three defeats and two draws, and after surrendering their 1-0 lead at home to Bristol City at the weekend to lose 2-1, boos echoed around Turf Moor as the pressure grows upon the former Haverfordwest and Genk boss.

Having conceded just 16 goals across 46 games last time out in the Championship, Burnley must now concede just three more in the next 41 games to better that record, as with the departures of the likes of Zian Flemming, Loum Tchaouna, Maxime Esteve, Jaidon Anthony, and Florentino, the Clarets are struggling to cope.

With Hayen's side travelling to Wrexham and Swansea City next, things don't get any easier for the Belgian, as FLW takes a look at three potential candidates to replace the 46-year-old in Lancashire should he depart.

Sean Dyche

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Sean Dyche is a name that Burnley fans will know more than well from his near-decade spell at the club between October 2012 and April 2022.

The 55-year-old took the Clarets to the Premier League in 2014, and then once again in 2016 after a brief relegation, and eventually guided the club into Europe for the first time in over half a century, achieving a 7th-place finish in the top flight.

Managing 425 games for the club across all competitions, Dyche has since spent time with Everton and Nottingham Forest, but has been out of work since February 2026 following his departure from the City Ground.

Therefore, available for no sort of compensation fee, Dyche knows exactly what Burnley is about and what the supporters want, and his return to the club, at this stage, would be a more than welcome one.

Though whether he would be open to dropping back into the Championship at this stage of his career, if he'd even be open to returning to Turf Moor once again, remains to be seen; Burnley would be remiss not to attempt to reunite with their most successful boss in their modern era should Hayen depart.

Rob Edwards

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Rob Edwards, by all accounts, seemed certain to guide Wolverhampton Wanderers into the Championship this campaign following his appointment at Molineux in November 2025.

The Welsh boss was unable to keep the Old Gold afloat in the top flight, though it was largely expected by many that he would remain in charge in the Black Country for this campaign, having previously helped Luton Town to a historic promotion to the Premier League.

However, Edwards was dismissed in shock circumstances, with the 43-year-old only finding out about the club's decision via social media, as Cesar Peixoto has since taken his place at the helm.

Edwards has been out of work since and appears to be in no rush to dive back into management just yet, having even rejected an approach from Burnley back in late June prior to Hayen's appointment.

Whether he would be open to joining now remains up for debate, but with Burnley having shown an interest previously and Edwards an obvious candidate for numerous possible jobs in the Championship, he will certainly be coming into the Clarets' thinking when considering alternatives to Hayen.

Robbie Keane

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A bit of a wildcard pick, but a name fans in England will know well, Robbie Keane could be an excellent option for Burnley.

The former Wolves, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and LA Galaxy centre-forward took his first steps into coaching in 2018 with Indian club ATK, and has since spent time working as an assistant with The Republic of Ireland, Middlesbrough, and Leeds.

The Irishman took his first head coach role with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023, spending a year at the club, guiding them to the league title and the League Cup, before joining Hungarian side Ferencvaros in January 2025.

He'd again win a league title and the League Cup with the Hungarian giants before stepping down at the end of last season.

Having joined Match of the Day's punditry team ahead of this campaign, whether the former striker is ready to step back into a managerial role at this stage remains to be seen.

Burnley, and one they must absolutely consider.