Lancashire

It took several months for Burnley to move on from former boss Scott Parker to new head coach Nicky Hayen, but it's not just the timing that's bothering former Clarets defender David Unsworth.

After several linked names appeared to fall through since Parker's departure in April, including Wales boss Craig Bellamy, Unsworth has concerns that Hayen's appointment may be a shot in the dark.

"There's been no communication behind it and that's the disappointing thing for me," the 52-year-old said.

"It's been poorly planned out and to take so long is not ideal. I'm sure the Burnley fans will all be sat feeling underwhelmed at the moment.

"The time and the choice and the names that were linked with the job, or turned down the job, this one just feels like have they just made a quick decision on who is available, if he's the only one available."

Listen to Unsworth's full reaction above or on BBC Sounds here

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Celtic, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers are among clubs interested in signing 20-year-old Utrecht forward Adrian Blake, who is valued at £2.5m. (Amar Mehta on X), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

It's in with the new for Burnley's managerial seat but should they say out with the old in terms of their coaching staff?

Before the appointment of Belgian head coach Nicky Hayen, talks between the club and Wales manager Craig Bellamy broke down in June with coaching staff understood to be an issue.

But while BBC Radio Lancashire's Dan Jewell thinks Hayen will eventually look to build his own backroom team, the staff brought in by former boss Scott Parker could be crucial to managing Burnley's inflated squad in the interim.

"I think Nicky Hayen would be well advised to lean heavily on these guys that are there and know these players," Jewell said.

"To know which of the ones that have been on the cusp for Burnley to keep, and to know which of the players to move on, will be very difficult.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we see him bring in a raft of his own people, certainly in the short-to-medium term; maybe that will be something that happens further down the line."

Listen to the full discussion below or on BBC Sounds here

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David Anderson
BBC Sport England

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Burnley's record signing Lesley Ugochukwu has arrived in Istanbul to seal his loan move to Galatasaray with a view to a permanent deal.

Ugochukwu, 22, jetted in from Paris on Monday evening on a private jet accompanied by Galatasaray official Abdullah Kavukcu.

Burnley have agreed a loan fee with Galatasaray with the option of making the transfer for the former Chelsea midfielder permanent next summer.

It is also believed Burnley have inserted a clause where Ugochukwu, who cost them £25m from Chelsea last summer, will join permanently if he makes 25 appearances for Galatasaray.

Ugochukwu told Galatasaray's YouTube Channel: "I'm proud to be here. I'm very happy. I've come to a very big team. Since I was a kid, I've always wanted to play for big clubs. Coming to this big club completes this happiness for me. I can't wait to meet our fans and get to know everyone."

The former France Under-21 international, who spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Southampton, made 35 appearances under former manager Scott Parker in the Clarets' unsuccessful campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

West Ham and Burnley are set to battle Premier League sides for Norway World Cup midfielder Patrick Berg, 28, who has shone for Bodo/Glimt in Europe in recent seasons. (TeamTalk, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what you thought about the long-awaited appointment of new Burnley boss Nicky Hayen.

Some of you seem optimistic about your new Belgian manager, but the delay in his arrival since the departure of former boss Scott Parker has raised a few eyebrows.

Here is a selection of what you had to say:

Richard: I really hope Nicky can raise the mood and quality of football for Burnley. He doesn't seem to stick around in his managerial roles - it would be nice to have the same manager for more than two seasons.

Ian: Let's hope lightning strikes twice by appointing another coach from Belgium to get us promotion again. Although not as high profile as Kompany, it might be a good fit hopefully.

Ian: The Championship has a lot more depth than the last time Burnley were in it. The new manager has inherited a limited squad with a number of players who have demonstrated minimal commitment, and a number that have underperformed whilst out on loan.

Realistically a play-off spot would be a good achievement under the circumstances, for a manager with no real experience in England.

Doug: The 71-day delay has put the board in a 'must be successful' situation. If rumours are to be believed, [Alfie] Devine turned us down due to a lack of manager. The 'no fire sale' promptly followed by a fire sale and a complete lack of communication has widened fans' disconnect with the ownership group.

Hopefully worth the wait, but a poor start and toxicity will return with gusto. I must stress I haven't been critical of the board until the ill considered comments pitch-side in January. A critical tipping point.

Patrick: I'm from Belgium and I can say to all the Burnley fans that they've got a brilliant manager. Nicky Hayen is intelligent, tactical and wants attacking football. I'm sure he's gonna be loved by Burnley fans.

Image source, Getty Images

The final four remaining English Football League players have seen their World Cup hopes come to an end at the quarter-final stage.

Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik, 28, and defenders David Moller Wolfe (Wolves) and Sondre Langas (Derby County) bowed out when their Norway team was beaten 2-1 by England after extra time in Miami on Saturday.

Moller Wolfe, 24, was replaced after 90 minutes of the quarter-final and started five of the Norwegians' six games at the tournament, while Selvik and the 25-year-old Langas were unused substitutes, having featured in the just the one game, a 4-1 group defeat by France.

Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni could not keep Switzerland in the World Cup as he appeared as an 86th-minute substitute and played through extra time of their 3-1 loss to Argentina in Kansas City.

The 25-year-old made four appearances as a replacement during the competition but failed to get on the scoresheet.

Image source, Getty Images

England's progress to the World Cup semi-final has resulted in Preston North End postponing a pre-season friendly.

The Championship club were due to visit Chorley on Wednesday, 15 July, but the match has been called off as England will face Argentina on the same evening.

Preston will start their pre-season schedule away at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday, 14 July (19:00 BST), with the club having no friendlies scheduled for their Deepdale stadium while pitch improvement work is carried out.

The upgrade has also meant their Carabao Cup first-round tie at home to Huddersfield on 1 August has been moved to Everton Women's Goodison Park.

The Lilywhites will start the new Championship campaign away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).