Burnley have long been known for bouncing straight back after relegation from the Premier League, having done so three times since 2010. But achieving a fourth immediate return is looking increasingly unlikely. Since Scott Parker's departure, Nicky Hayen was appointed head coach less than a month before the Championship season began, after a move for Wales boss Craig Bellamy fell through.
Hayen has faced criticism. Joe Redmond, host of the Turfcast podcast, said fans may sympathise with him, but he appears out of his depth. Hayen inherited coaches left over from Scott Parker, lost his main striker Zian Flemming on transfer deadline day, and oversaw a squad overhaul in which 11 players arrived and 10 left. Former Watford and Reading midfielder Jobi Mc Anuff described the recruitment as scattergun, and said Vardy's arrival at 39 cannot make him the main man all season.
The results have been poor. Burnley have lost 10 and drawn 11 of their 21 league games since 18 October 2025, when they last beat Leeds 2-0 at home. A defeat to Portsmouth on 31 October would set a new English record for the longest time without a home win, surpassing Sheffield Wednesday's 376 days. The latest home defeat, to Wolves, was followed by boos at full-time.
Hayen said he could understand the fans' frustration, accepting that the atmosphere changes when a side is losing. Mc Anuff warned that the team's repeated late leads and late concessions at home are draining players' confidence. A Halloween loss to Portsmouth could bring more fright for the embattled boss.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing