Gossip: Clarets battle for Norway starpublished at 10:41 BST
10:41 BST
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)
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.
EFL players' World Cup involvement endspublished at 14:08 BST 12 July
14:08 BST 12 July
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.
Preston postpone friendly after England winpublished at 14:01 BST 12 July
14:01 BST 12 July
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).
Can Hayen lift Burnley once again?published at 12:52 BST 12 July
12:52 BST 12 July
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Nicky Hayen has signed a three-year contract as Burnley boss
Burnley have entrusted former Genk boss Nicky Hayen with the task of guiding them to an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 45-year-old Belgian replaces Scott Parker, who left by mutual consent at the end of April as the Clarets suffered relegation.
Hayen, who had a spell with Welsh side Haverfordwest County between 2021 and 2022, led Genk to a seventh-placed finish in the Belgian top flight last season having also previously won the title when in charge of Club Brugge.
So, is he the right man to lead Burnley back to the Premier League? Would someone like Wales boss Craig Bellamy have been a better choice? Will the Clarets be challenging for promotion from the Championship under Hayen?