Nicky Hayen was heavily linked with the vacancy before the Hoops moved for the Columbus Crew boss
20:48, 08 Dec 2025Updated 20:49, 08 Dec 2025
Nicky Hayen (L) and Club Brugge’s Norwegian midfielder Hugo Vetlesen(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Club Brugge have fired head coach Nicky Hayen just weeks after he directly addressed rumours linking him with Celtic.
The Belgian coach was said to be a contender to replace Brendan Rodgers and admitted that he is no stranger to being considered for positions elsewhere. However, following Parkhead legend Martin O’Neill‘s return as interim manager – a run that yielded seven wins from eight games in all competitions – Hayen was overlooked when the Hoops finally sealed a deal to bring in Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew.
Frenchman Nancy’s reign has began with a 2-1 loss to Hearts that has seen Celtic fall three points behind the league leaders. He now must pick his troops up for a mega few days, with Thursday’s Europa League clash with Roma followed by a Premier Sports Cup final showdown against St Mirren.
Hayen impressed Celtic fans when he downed their bitter rivals Rangers 9-1 over two legs in the Champions League play-off back in August. And despite leading Brugge to the Belgian Cup last season, Hayen has now been sacked in the lead-up to their Champions League meeting with Arsenal.
He leaves the side sitting 26th in the revamped Champions League format with just four points from their first five matches and five points adrift of Belgian Pro League leaders Union Saint-Gilloise after the first 17 rounds of matches.
Brugge have immediately confirmed the appointment of KAA Gent boss Ivan Leko as Hayen’s replacement. A club statement read: “Club Brugge and Nicky Hayen part ways.
Former Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen(Image: Getty Images)
“Hayen (45) had been at Club since 2022. He will be replaced as head coach by Ivan Leko. Nicky Hayen (45) joined Club from Haverfordwest (Wales) in the Summer of 2022, taking on the Club NXT managerial job.
“In March of 2024, he took over the seniors, claiming the title in his debut year after a spectacular run in the Play-Offs. Last season, he lead Club towards the Belgian Cup and the Supercup.
“Taking over from Hayen will be Ivan Leko (47). A former Club Brugge player, Leko has already been coach at Club from 2017 until 2019. In two seasons, he won the title and the Supercup. He also helped Antwerp to a Belgian Cup in the following season, and Hajduk Split to the Croatian Cup later on. Leko will be joining us from KAA Gent.
“Club would like to hereby thank Nicky Hayen for all the hard work he put in in the past time, and wishes him all the best for the future.”
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