Burnley back Fabio Celestini to revive poor start to Championship campaign

Fabio Celestini has challenged Burnley to play with “belief” as he takes charge of the Clarets following Nicky Hayen’s sacking.

The 50-year-old was appointed on Wednesday four days after Hayen was dismissed following a 4-1 defeat by Lincoln City, with Burnley having won just once in the Championship this season after 12 games.

The Clarets are languishing in the relegation zone, with Celestini tasked with turning around their fortunes after a difficult return to the second tier.

He arrives at Turf Moor after leading FC Basel to a domestic double in 2024-25, winning the Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup.

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Big potential

“I look at Burnley and I see a club with big potential and players with real quality, who can help us achieve our supporters’ ambitions,” he told the club’s website.

“I know the situation we are in, and I have lived it before.

“Our supporters deserve to see a team playing with belief from the first whistle.”

Most recently in charge of CSKA Moscow, he won the Russian Super Cup before leaving the club by mutual agreement in May after 11 months.

The former Switzerland international won 35 caps as a player and has also managed Lausanne-Sport, Luzern, Lugano and Sion.

Grow

Burnley chief football officer Diego Lopez, appointed in the wake of the defeat to Lincoln and Hayen’s subsequent sacking, said Celestini brought the “passion, experience and knowledge” the club were looking for

“He showed extraordinary determination and conviction to come to Burnley,” Lopez added.

“We want people who truly want to be here and help this club grow. Fabio is a clear example of that.”

Celestini will take charge of his first match on Saturday, when Burnley host Portsmouth at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have not won a league game at home for more than a year, a run that began during their difficult Premier League campaign last season.

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