Burnley have confirmed the appointment of Diego Lopez as their new chief football officer to facilitate the search for a new manager after sacking Nicky Hayen.
The 37-year-old joins the Clarets from Genoa and will oversee the club’s football operations, player recruitment and long-term sporting plans.
His immediate task is to identify a suitable replacement for Hayen, who was sacked after Burnley’s disappointing 4-1 defeat against Lincoln City on Saturday.
Rob Edwards is one of several candidates Burnley are considering for the vacant position, although the club has also expanded their search outside England.
The 43-year-old is the favourite for the role and has experience managing Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Luton Town. He also got the latter promoted to the Premier League.
Burnley have also been linked with Carlos Corberan, but the former West Bromwich Albion and Valencia manager is reportedly uninterested in taking the job.
Corberan left Valencia in September and would prefer taking a job in the Premier League. Despite his relationship with Lopez, he has made it clear he doesn’t want to join Burnley.
The Clarets have had a dreadful start to the season. They’ve won just one of their 12 games so far (D5, L6) and sit 22nd in the Championship table.
They’ve also failed to win any of their opening six games at Turf Moor (D4, L2), stretching their winless streak at home to more than a year.
Chairman Alan Pace appointed Hayen in the summer, hoping the Belgian coach could help the club secure a quick return to the Premier League.
Hayen won the Belgian league title with Club Brugge in 2024, but his time at Turf Moor ended after a series of disappointing results.
Pace has now brought in Lopez to help rebuild the club and improve its recruitment strategy.
“This appointment is about raising standards across the whole football club,” Pace said.
“We wanted someone with deep experience in recruitment and player development, a strong knowledge of European markets and a clear understanding of how those come together to strengthen a club over the long term. Diego has a proven record of exactly that.”