Regrets in Lancashire? Nicky Hayen’s decision to swap Genk for Burnley has not gone to plan so far | OneFootball

Genk went into the summer full of hope. In Nicky Hayen, they felt the had a coach that could really help the young team turn a corner on the pitch. Since joining midway through the previous season, Hayen had averaged 1.7 points per game, with 13 wins, eight draws and seven defeats. It wasn’t spectacular, but the man who had helped Club Brugge win the Belgian Pro League in 2023/2024 and the cup in 2024/2025 had shown some signs of progress.

Yet before the current season began, Hayen had gone. He had been approached by Burnley and decided the opportunity to manage in the English second tier was too good to turn down. He was following in the footsteps of Vincent Kompany and, in a slightly less direct manner, Scott Parker. Both had been in the Belgian Pro League before joining Burnley, and both had managed to win promotion with the side. For Kompany, it had been the springboard to a move to Bayern Munich and all the success that has brought. For Parker, it gave him another spell in the Premier League, one that he failed to capitalise on.

Yet for Hayen, he has not yet experienced the bounce that Kompany and Parker had when entering the Championship. So far, his side have won none of their league matches, with three draws and four defeats. Clearly, he is now under pressure. Burnley are bottom of the league, a long way away from where many felt they should be this season. Its early in his Burnley career, but it looks like the sides upcoming clash with fellow strugglers Derby is already a must win. English football is ruthless, and if a manager doesn’t perform quickly, that usually signals the end of his time in charge.

Hayen is hoping that the injuries he has had to deal with during his time with Burnley will buy him time. The former Club Brugge man has already said he thinks that the international break will give him the time he needs to get things right within the squad. Hayen will have to hope that a positive result against Derby gives him the chance to get to the international break.

However, should the worse happen, there will be plenty of clubs in Belgium happy to take on Hayen should they need a new head coach this season. His track record with Club Brugge means he will remain employable and considered a top coach in the Belgian Pro League.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson