Burnley have announced former Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini as their new head coach four days after sacking Nicky Hayen.
Burnley, who have won only one of their 12 league games this season following relegation from the Premier League, have not disclosed the length of Celestini’s contract. They heralded his appointment by saying in a statement that the 50-year-old “arrives with a proven capacity to win and to adapt to different football environments”.
The club’s chief football officer, Diego López, himself a new name at the club this week, said: “Fabio brings the passion, experience and knowledge we were looking for. He showed extraordinary determination and conviction to come to Burnley. We want people who truly want to be here and help this club grow. Fabio is a clear example of that.”
Celestini’s last managerial role was at CSKA Moscow, who he left in May this year, and he has also had spells at Swiss clubs Lugano, Luzern, Sion and Basel. He led the latter from bottom of the table to a league and cup double in the space of 18 months.
The new head coach told Burnley’s website: “I look at Burnley and I see a club with big potential and players with real quality, who can help us achieve our supporters’ ambitions. I know the situation we are in, and I have lived it before. Our supporters deserve to see a team playing with belief from the first whistle.”
The former midfielder, who spent 10 years as a player in France and Spain and won 35 caps for Switzerland, will take charge of his first match in Saturday’s home league game against Portsmouth.
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