Burnley reportedly in talks with Swiss coach Fabio Celestini

Former CSKA Moscow boss Fabio Celestini has emerged as the mystery foreign coach that is in contention to take the Burnley job.

Reports had suggested a candidate from abroad was strongly in the frame after it emerged neither Rob Edwards or Carlos Corberan would be replacing Nicky Hayen.

Edwards held talks with the Burnley hierarchy, but has since decided to back out, while it’s claimed Corberan is holding out for a job in the Premier League.

Now, The Athletic reports that Celestini is a “strong contender” to be the new man in the Turf Moor dugout.

They even go on to suggest the 50-year-old has even travelled to England with his staff, although terms of the potential agreement are still to be agreed.

Burnley FC have been contacted for comment.

Celestini has been out of work since leaving CSKA in May, where he won the Russian Super Cup.

The Swiss coach has enjoyed a 12-year managerial career, mainly in his native country, with the likes of Lausanne-Sport, Lugano, Luzern, Sion and Basel.

He won the Swiss Super League and the Swiss Cup with the latter in 2024/25.

The Clarets are on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Hayen after just 106 days.

The Belgian won just one of his 12 league games in charge, leaving the club rooted inside the Championship’s relegation zone.

The club’s new chief of football Diego Lopez, who was officially appointed on Monday, is said to be playing an integral role in the process of identifying Hayen’s replacement.