It looks like Genk will be looking for a new head coach just as they begin pre-season preparations. As reported by HLN, Nicky Hayen has informed the Genk squad that he is set to depart the club and join Burnley. He becomes the latest head coach of Burnley to have gained experience in the Belgian Pro League, with both Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker having won Burnley promotion following their time in Belgium.
Hayen must be clearly seeing the success that both men had with Burnley as a key reason to be leaving Genk. It had appeared that he was committed to the project at the end of the season, with Genk facing a period of rebuilding over the summer and hoping to promote many of their talented youngsters to the first team squad. Hayen, who had experience of working with young players at Beveren and Club Brugge, seemed to be a perfect fit.
However, Burnley have been able to persuade Hayen to leave Genk and join them in their bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. All that is left to do is for Genk and Burnley to agree upon a fee to release Hayen from his contract.
Burnley will be getting a head coach who knows how to win, having led Club Brugge to a title in his first few months in charge and helped them have a successful Champions League campaign.
