Danish head coach may return to Genk to replace Burnley’s Nicky Hayen | OneFootball

With Genk having lost Nicky Hayen to Burnley, the Belgian Pro League side are now searching for a new head coach. According to HLN, the side look set to bring Danish head coach Jess Thorup back to the club. Thorup, who was recently head coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC, was only Genk head coach for a brief period in 2020. He had been in charge of Gent before that, his first role outside of Denmark. Thorup left Genk after just a few months to join Danish giants FC Copenhagen, where he won the league during the 2021/2022 season.

After a few seasons with Copenhagen, Thorup left and his next job was in Germany with Augsburg. Thorup spent just under two seasons in Germany before taking up the role in Egypt during the previous 2025/2026 season. He won 18 games, drawing nine and losing nine.

Genk struggled last season and ended up missing out on European football. The side had hoped to go into the new season with Hayen as a chance to rebuild around some talented youngster, but now they will be looking to do so with a new head coach instead.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson