Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen has expressed his appreciation for Cymru Premier club Haverfordwest County, where he spent six months in charge before progressing to higher-profile roles in continental football.
The 46-year-old Belgian was appointed by County chairman Rob Edwards in a surprise move during December 2021, taking over from Wayne Jones on New Year's Eve that year. Hayen has maintained a close relationship with Edwards and continues to monitor the Welsh club's progress.
"I really liked my time over there, but also the connection with the chairman,"Hayen said following his side's 1-1 draw against Wrexham on 9 September 2026.
"I'm still in contact with him. Every week or every two weeks I'm in contact with him and of course I follow the results."
When Hayen arrived at Haverfordwest, the club occupied second-from-bottom position in Welsh football's top division. Despite the precarious situation, he guided the side to safety and brought them to the brink of European qualification within less than six months.
"It was for me like a new start there - a start that changed a lot for me, especially on the sports side,"he reflected.
"I will always be grateful for him for the chance, but also for the opportunity that he let me go back to Belgium."
Edwards was reportedly "desperately disappointed" when Hayen departed in June 2022 to become head coach of Club NXT, the under-23 development side of Club Brugge. His trajectory in Belgian football accelerated significantly: he progressed to first-team assistant following the departure of former England international Scott Parker in 2023, then became interim manager in March 2024 when ex-Celtic boss Ronny Deila left the club. Hayen's impact was immediate and substantial, winning nine of the final ten matches to secure the Belgian Pro League title.
After leaving Club Brugge in December 2025 and a brief spell with rivals Genk, Hayen was appointed Burnley head coach during the summer on a three-year deal, once again succeeding Parker at a new club. Burnley had appointed Hayen following the club's relegation from the Premier League, tasking him with restoring the Lancashire side to the top flight.
However, Hayen's tenure at Burnley has begun difficultly. According to his post-match comments after the Wrexham fixture, he stated he was "happy with a point" and highlighted that Burnley had played "a really good first half" and produced "a really great goal." Despite this positive assessment, the club's results have not improved significantly.
Following the 1-1 draw at Wrexham, Burnley suffered a 3-1 defeat at Swansea City on 13 September 2026, a result that left them bottom of the Championship and still without a victory in their opening seven league matches under Hayen's management. After the Swansea loss, Hayen attributed Burnley's problems to individual errors and noted that several new signings remained short of full match fitness, while emphasizing the need for "one victory to reward the performance and rebuild confidence."
The struggles have mounted as the season has progressed. Earlier in September, Hayen acknowledged that Burnley had collected only two points from their first five league games and described the team as being "in a really difficult situation" while appealing for supporter understanding regarding the frustration evident in the camp.
How has Haverfordwest fared since Hayen's departure?
Haverfordwest County, the club where Hayen established his managerial credentials, has experienced mixed fortunes since his exit. Under his successor, the Welsh club has twice qualified for European competition, demonstrating the foundation he built. However, the current campaign began poorly, with County losing their opening five league matches. The side has since stabilized, remaining unbeaten in their last three fixtures including two victories, suggesting a recovery may be underway.
What lies ahead for Burnley?
Hayen has identified the upcoming home match against Derby as a critical fixture, describing it as a "must-win" game as Burnley seeks to arrest their poor start and build momentum. The club's immediate priority is securing their first victory of the season to restore confidence among players and supporters alike.
