The greatest moments of Burnley’s history were beamed on to a big screen before kick-off at Turf Moor, accompanied by famous lines of commentary. The final one, the moment promotion was sealed under Scott Parker in April 2025, was soundtracked by: “Burnley are back in the big time.” That feels a long time ago now, with a return to the Premier League a remote prospect. Burnley appeared to have this game against Derby sewn up, leading through Zeki Amdouni’s first-half header, but a stunning stoppage-time strike from the Rams’ substitute Mohammed Fuseini soured the Turf Moor mood.
It means Burnley’s winless home league run could now reach a year, the Clarets last tasting victory at Turf Moor on 18 October. Their last win in any competition in 90 minutes was on 11 February. The draw left Nicky Hayen, the under-fire head coach, under scrutiny, though the majority of fans will direct their anger towards Alan Pace, the chair, given the financial problems and off-field turmoil that have plagued the club during a disruptive summer.
Hayen vowed to fight for his future and revealed he would talk with Pace, though could give no assurances he will remain in charge for the next game at Watford on 10 October after the extra-long international break. But I’ve always shown resilience and I’m always going to fight. We need this [international] window to change a lot of things.” In his programme notes before the game, Pace called for fans to “unite and show togetherness”, after they had chanted for his removal during the home defeat by Bristol City a fortnight ago.
There was some early encouragement for Hayen’s team as they sought to make early inroads against Derby. Although a lack of thrust in the final third was evident at times, Burnley made the breakthrough via Amdouni’s forehead, the forward peeling around the back post to nod home Lucas Pires’ corner. Hayen, who was managing Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier League four years ago and was not Burnley’s first choice to replace Parker, celebrated.
Having been accused of muddled selections in his tenure so far, he had made some brave calls, dropping the club captain, Kyle Walker, and struggling goalkeeper Max Weiss, and recalling Marcus Edwards, who had been jettisoned after featuring in the campaign’s opening two games. Those decisions were nearly vindicated, right up to the moment Fuseini pounced, leaving Hayen to bear the brunt of more fan criticism. We wanted to give the fans the win, I wanted this for them, I can accept their frustration.
I want to give back to the fans, I feel we can give back a lot. You saw we were close, we wanted to do it just before the international break.” The break may represent a chance for Hayen, if he remains, to regroup, though for Pace and the board there remain unanswered questions about the £142m of external debt the club owes, as well as the £81m owed by his firm ALK Capital to the club itself after a leveraged buyout in December 2020. Comparisons with the Glazers’ takeover and ownership of Manchester United have been made.
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