Burnley

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Relegated Burnley attempt to halt a hapless home run on Sunday (14:00 BST) when they welcome an Aston Villa side seeking Champions League qualification.

Burnley's home troubles show no sign of easing

Burnley's difficulties at Turf Moor have defined their season. They are winless in 13 Premier League home matches since October and risk equalling their longest such run in the competition if they fail to beat Villa.

It is part of a wider slump, with just one win in their past 26 league games. A change in the dugout has not yet shifted the trajectory, albeit Michael Jackson is still in the early stages of his tenure.

Burnley are winless in their past five league meetings with Villa and have rarely found this fixture straightforward in the Premier League era.

An isolated bright spot for the Clarets has been goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. He has made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the league – a reflection of the pressure Burnley have faced defensively. Despite conceding 71 goals, his performances have prevented an already bleak season from being even worse.

Villa's away form remains a concern

Villa have only collected seven points from their past eight league games, a run that has slowed their push for a top five finish. Nonetheless, it would take a significant collapse to miss out on Champions League qualification through their league position.

Reaching the Europa League final has offered an alternative route into Europe's top competition and may allow Unai Emery's side to play with more freedom in the run-in.

Their away record, though, continues to undermine them, with Villa winless in their past five league matches on the road.

Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Turf Moor (14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jackson confirmed he has a full squad available aside from long-term absentees Enock Agyei, Josh Cullen and Connor Roberts.

• Cullen is "coming along really well", while Roberts "will be playing in an under-21s game at some point in the next week".

• Reflecting on a week in which the Clarets lost at Leeds in their first match since relegation was confirmed, Jackson said: "A bit emotional at the start of the week. We just have to get on with it, be professional, respect the competition we are in, find a way of getting the lads going and getting some energy around the place. It's been a good week."

• On the mentality of the team following relegation: "It's a difficult situation but in the grand scheme of things we're privileged. We play football, we're in a great industry. It's been tough but there's a lot of things out here tougher than this. This week is just about reconnecting, getting some energy and identity back in and start working hard again."

• On the challenge posed by Villa: "After the result last night [Europa League semi-final win] it will bring a bit of confidence back into the team. They're a very good team, very well coached. They have improved year-on-year and I enjoy watching them play as well. They have a good style of play and are very good at what they do."

• On the importance of the Turf Moor crowd: "Let's be honest, we haven't been good enough at home this season. They deserve more from us but we really need them and we owe them. For us at home to try and create some intensity, be on the front foot and make a game of it we need them. We want to finish the season in a positive way."

• Jackson paid tribute to former Burnley defender Ben Mee, who made over 350 appearances for the club and announced his retirement on Thursday: "He was incredible for Burnley, he was the captain of the group we had. I wish him all the best in his retirement but no doubt we will see him around somewhere in coaching. If he puts as much into that as he did playing then I am sure he will be very successful."

Listen to live commentary of Burnley v Villa on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

You can also find build-up, commentary and reaction from BBC Radio Lancashire on 95.5, 103.9 FM, and on BBC Sounds.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Everton will have to step up their efforts to sign Burnley defender Maxime Esteve as Bayer Leverkusen are keen on the Frenchman. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I watched the wave of player tributes for Scott Parker flooding Instagram last week with interest. The impact that he has had on those players, the relationships he built with them and the role model he has become was clear. There is little doubt that he held that dressing room tightly.

Why, then, did those players not perform on the pitch for him? In so many post-match interviews, Parker talked about disappointment, how plans were not followed and how his players were off the mark as against what they had prepared for.

It seems odd, doesn't it? That such a tight group of individuals could fail so spectacularly in their common goal?

The main takeaway for me is that Parker was perhaps too nice. It is not your job as head coach to be your players' friend, and players need to feel a sense of jeopardy in what they do.

I am not talking about fear or bullying, or the 90s hairdryer treatment - there is no place for that in sport, or in society any more - but managers need to be able to cultivate resilience and regulate emotional responses.

If managers allocate too much of their time and focus on being a friend and mentor, no matter how important that role is, do they then lack the ability to give the hard messages that make those performances improve?

I am starting to suspect that this has been a critical factor in Parker's failures this season – some of the best bosses I have learned from in my career have been those who were not afraid to deliver hard performance reviews, but who I ultimately got the best lessons from.

Mike Jackson now wants these players to use the final three games to develop some confidence and play for the fans.

I am not sure how relevant that is to us, given we will be saying goodbye to most of them soon, so I would rather the club uses the next three games to remember who we are.

A gritty little club in east Lancashire, around since the very beginning of the league, that gets up, shows up and lives for that little old mill town.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

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Tom Gayle
MOTD Commentator

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For a few weeks now, Burnley had made it clear Hannibal Mejbri was on the verge of his return from a hamstring injury. I can't lie, after receiving the team news at Elland Road, I questioned the wisdom of whether his first game back should have been away at Leeds United.

This season the midfielder received a four-match ban and was given a £15,000 fine after admitting to spitting at Leeds supporters during Burnley's 2-0 victory at Turf Moor back in October.

The warmth of 'reception' was as you would expect. Being the last name on the teamsheet, it was a long build-up to the inevitable boos which followed "Hannibal" being read out by the stadium announcer.

A few behind the dugouts let their feelings be known as the 23-year-old made his way past to the visitors bench prior to kick-off. Midway through the first half, there was the sight of Hannibal receiving what appeared to be a one-man security escort as he made his way back to the tunnel.

Hannibal's eventual introduction came in the 54th minute. Despite still being soaked in the jubilation of Noah Okafor's goal, the vibes quickly changed as the Tunisian international's run onto the field was sound-tracked by a cacophony of jeers.

There was no let-up, his every touch was met by boos. In my eyes, there was more than one attempt from Leeds players to 'leave one on' the Burnley substitute. The pantomime bingo card-esque scenes were completed by loud cheers which greeted, firstly, Ethan Amadu's booking following a shoulder-high pull back on Hannibal, before Hannibal himself when he was cautioned for a late challenge on Brenden Aaronson.

When I questioned interim head coach Mike Jackson on the selection decision, there was no pondering within his response. "I always knew the reaction he would get. I said to Hannibal before the game, don't antagonise the crowd, just go on and show your quality."

While spitting towards someone is reviled across society, in the end, this may be seen as a win-win. Leeds supporters grasped the opportunity to vent their frustrations at Hannibal's indefensible actions, whereas Burnley were able to see the return of a talented and creative player.

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

Robert: Fully deserved three points. Our players once again stood up to be counted when it really mattered. Nearly safe now!

Christopher: Delighted with the win but we seemed a bit nervy seeing the game out. We're so much better yet seemed to make it tough for ourselves unnecessarily.

Eric: The major thing here is the three points - priceless. However, once again Leeds made it hard for themselves in a game they should have killed off by half-time. But they came out second half and did the business - and a good job too because we started to let Burnley get back into it in the final 20 minutes.

Hanif: Fantastic. Been a tough season, with highs and lows, but determination and true grit has seen us get to this point where our Premier League status is all but secured. Well done, Leeds.

Burnley fans

Peter: A shocking defensive display. No shape, ball watching and thanks but goodbye to our goalkeeper, who was responsible for two of the goals. There is a nucleus of players who are good enough for the challenge next season, so we need a couple of decent additions and, most importantly, a manager who is not only a good friend to the players but a good coach and inspiration as well. Come back, Craig Bellamy.

Steve: The players have no team spirit - there's no fight there. We seem to constantly want to play out from the back and invariably lose the ball. When we get into the opponent’s half the team is lost - there's no attacking mentality.

Jack: What do you expect when you have five at the back and still room given for the first goal? Diabolical. I just don't get it. Not one of this team should be wearing the Burnley shirt. For once, I believe we need a completely new team next season.

Peter: Again and again we showed that Premier League football was a step too far for this collection of players. We can only hope that next season’s squad is better. It would be nice to have something to cheer.

Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started the game a bit jittery. I knew this could go one of two ways with what has happened in the last 24 hours, and I knew there could be some nerves and anxiety. I think we grew into the game in the back end of the first half and we started the second quiet well, but then again at this level you can't give away errors that lead to goals and ultimately that has cost us in the end.

"We wait sometimes to get going, to go a goal down and then it is like 'ok let's go'. We need to give ourselves a better chance by competing from the start.

"Win a game of football. It is as simple as that. I don't look at anything else in terms of outside. Strip it all back and it's about trying to win a game of football between now and the end of the season, to give our supporters something to hold onto to go into next year. That is the sole focus. It is up to us now as a group of staff to bring these lads together and to try to give them that confidence because it is difficult when you are down there."

On who is in the frame to take the reigns going forward: "This is just coming less than 24 hours. That for me is as far away from my thoughts as possible. No one has spoken about anything to do with that. The club and players have had to deal with the manager leaving who was really close to ourselves and the group."

Did you know?

• Burnley fell to their 23rd defeat of the Premier League season, only the fourth time they have lost that often in a league campaign, after 1975-76 (23), 2009-10 (24), and 2023-24 (24).

• Burnley have lost each of their last four away league games all by a margin of 2+ goals; it's their longest losing run by two or more goals on the road in the league since January 2010 (5 in a row).

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a bruising few days for Burnley.

Only eight days after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, the club announced that popular head coach Scott Parker had left his position by mutual consent.

Less than 48 hours later, this defeat to high-flying Leeds United underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two sides since their return to the Premier League.

Last May, Leeds pipped Burnley to the Championship title on goal difference after both sides amassed 100 points.

But less than 12 months on, the gap between them is far more significant - now standing at five places and 23 points.

That is because Leeds, despite a stuttering start, have emerged as one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Farke's side have won 10 of their 35 games and are all but safe from relegation.

Burnley, by contrast, have managed just four wins all season and have been stuck in the relegation zone since November.

This is not just a defeat that must serve as a lesson, but the season as a whole. Since their relegation in 2022 after six consecutive years in the top flight, Burnley have yo-yoed between the first and second tiers.

It is clear that the model Burnley and working towards has it flaws and will require significant changes in the summer if they are to not only to secure another promotion, but to re-establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made three changes to the side that lost against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Lucas Perri, defender Gabriel Gudmundsson and midfielder Brenden Aaronson are replaced by Karl Darlow, James Justin and Anton Stach, who returns from a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Justin; Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Aaronson, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha

In the opposite dugout, interim Burnley manager Michael Jackson has named the same XI that lost to Manchester City in the Premier League nine days ago.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Humphreys, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Laurent, Ward-Prowse; Anthony, Flemming, Tchaouna

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Florentino, Pires, Amdouni, Broja, Hannibal

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United host Burnley on Friday (20:00 BST) needing the points to virtually end any relegation concerns. Burnley, already relegated and now managerless after Scott Parker left the club on Thursday, have little but pride at stake.

Can Leeds pull clear of danger?

Leeds know a win would increase pressure on the other relegation candidates ahead of the weekend. The Whites have often been competitive this season, rarely dominating possession but creating enough chances to stay in games. The issue has been turning those moments into comfortable wins, particularly at home.

Nowhere is that clearer than after the half-time interval. Leeds have conceded 15 second half league goals at Elland Road and when matches are level or Leeds hold a narrow lead, Farke's side tend to slow the tempo and protect central areas rather than push for a decisive second goal. Control becomes caution – and pressure follows.

Greater calm in front of goal could make the difference. Forward Noah Okafor has emerged as Leeds' most reliable finisher since early February, scoring five Premier League goals in that period. Only Morgan Gibbs-White and Viktor Gyokeres have scored more in the same spell. If Friday's game remains tight into the latter stages, Leeds will need that efficiency.

Will pride drive managerless Burnley at Elland Road?

Burnley's return to the Premier League has again proved short-lived, with relegation confirmed by last week's defeat by Manchester City. With the club now managerless, there is a possibility they play with a degree of freedom – but their away form offers little reassurance.

The pattern has been familiar. Burnley often start competitively, pressing with energy and keeping their shape. However, as intensity drops, gaps appear and opponents take advantage.

They have conceded 25 first half away goals and remain the league's most porous defence, with 68 goals conceded overall.

If Leeds are looking for encouragement, it may come from that contrast in resilience. This fixture has the feel of a match shaped by patience and timing: one side trying to avoid the late game issues that have haunted their season, the other vulnerable once momentum turns against them. How Leeds manage that balance after the break could decide the outcome.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on who should become the next Burnley manager after the club announced Scott Parker's exit on Thursday.

Here are some of your comments:

Isaac: Has to be Craig Bellamy, knows the club inside out and the fans already like him. No doubt in my mind.

Ted: Craig would be a great choice but also the managers proven taking a small club to successful - Thomas Frank, Liam Rosenior, even, dare I suggest, John Eustace - could get us all enjoying, believing and just loving coming to football again!

Kevin: What about Rosenior, he did a great job before moving to Chelsea then getting sacked. I think he'll be a good fit for us in the Championship.

Dusty: Bellamy would be my first choice closely followed by Dyche. The main issue is player recruitment because Burnley did not buy well last summer. Poor judgement by the club buying too many players with no proven record in the Premier League. We need someone who can attract quality to join Burnley and play to win.

Andy: Craig Bellamy, Steven Gerrard or Sean Dyche are suitable to get the club out of this mess and stop them from doing a Leicester City and dropping into the third tier.

Thomas: Will the Burnley board admit they got it wrong and re-employ Sean Dyche? I very much doubt it. If not please don't go for a so-called big name like Steven Gerrard.

The Burnley fans never really seemed to take to Scott Parker but his biggest problem was Sunderland and Leeds being more competitive than the Clarets as promoted clubs this season.

Burnley are down and searching for a new manager, but Leeds go marching on together - they have had an outstanding campaign under Daniel Farke even if their performance against Chelsea in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final was disappointing compared to their recent form.

If Leeds lose this, then it is squeaky bum time for them with games to come against Tottenham and West Ham, but they won't mess up.

For me, this is the result that will secure their safety. Yes, there would still be work to do, but if there ever was a gimme this season then it is playing Burnley at home.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The fourth paragraph down on the official press release confirming the departure of Scott Parker tells you everything about how much he is regarded by Burnley's board and chairman Alan Pace.

The prospect of even sitting down with this manager to discuss whether they can or should go on would have been unthinkable 12 months ago.

Parker has represented himself and the club impeccably during his time as manager and he was deeply admired and respected throughout the football club.

He once said to me in a pre-match news conference "let's be different" when asked about the criticism he was receiving from some supporters, which at times felt it was beyond what was responsible.

The football club has been trending this way for some time. Sean Dyche was sacked with the club in the Premier League's relegation zone. Vincent Kompany failed to keep them up. Parker joins the list - but this is not entirely on Scott.

The club's recruitment policy under Kompany failed. Highly successful loan players left following promotion and younger recruits with potential sell-on value were signed. And relegation followed.

They changed their approach under Parker. Loan players were signed with obligations to buy and they won promotion once again. Almost half of the money spent in the summer window this season were signings they were obliged to make. And relegation followed.

And now, for a third successive Championship campaign, they will go into a summer surrounded by uncertainty, needing a new manager and all the upheaval that brings.

Burnley wanted Kompany to stay and bring them back up, and before a ball was kicked this season the club would have wanted the same with Parker.

The Championship is littered with examples of mismanagement and poor decisions.

Look how quickly things have unravelled for Leicester City. How long is it since Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Stoke City played in the top flight? The list goes on.

If you don't bounce back straight away it becomes increasingly difficult to bounce back at all.

Be careful what you wish for - the good ones don't come around very often.

Back to that fourth paragraph down on the club's press release and some of the words used; "professionalism", "dedication", "respect" and "gratitude".

Who would you like to be the next Burnley boss now that Parker has gone?

Send us your views here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley hold an interest in Wales manager Craig Bellamy as they begin the process of replacing Scott Parker, but face an uphill battle to convince him to return to Turf Moor.

Parker left the club on Thursday following Burnley's relegation from the Premier League last week, with the Clarets now turning their attention to appointing his successor.

Several sources have told BBC Sport that Burnley view Bellamy as a serious candidate for the position.

Bellamy previously coached at Burnley under former boss Vincent Kompany and was among the candidates for the top job prior to Parker's appointment in 2024.

However, he is enjoying his time with Wales and is said to be relishing the opportunity to lead the nation at a home European Championship in 2028.

He is also understood to have some reservations about the current make-up of the Burnley squad and how much work may be required this summer, with a number of players expected to depart.

Elsewhere, Steven Gerrard has been heavily linked with the position, but there has been no formal contact from Burnley so far.

Sources have also indicated that the Clarets have made checks on Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

Who do you want to next take charge of the Clarets? Which choice would be best to get the club back to the Premier League?

Get in touch with your views here

Read more on Scott Parker's departure from Burnley

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It should never have taken this long, but Parker has gone. And an almighty sigh of relief has rippled across the Burnley fanbase.

But what a waste of a season. We've achieved nothing, have gone backwards rather than forwards and are no closer to finding the grit we need to try and compete at this level.

I feel a real level of confusion as to what our overall strategy was. If Parker was sacked because his primary objective was survival, then that means avoiding relegation was fundamental. Which, in turn, suggests the club should have done everything they could to avoid that happening, including sacking a desperately under-performing manager when it could have made a difference and achieved that very goal!

Perhaps it was financial - do we have to pay less in compensation if he didn't achieve survival?

Whatever the justification, every decision in this process has just felt so very odd.

Parker has left with the dignity you'd expect from a man of his grace. Conversations like this are horrible on a human level - it's never nice to publicly scrutinise someone on a global stage and advocate for their employment to come to an end. But the reality is Parker is not yet at a stage where he can effectively manage at Premier League level and Burnley simply don't have the luxury of allowing someone to learn on the job.

We need to get back to mounting a realistic campaign for survival.

Who do we get now?

Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard are early candidates being named in the media. Does Mike Jackson get a second chance to claim the job on a permanent basis?

Bellamy knows the club well, but has had a disappointing campaign with Wales, failing to qualify with one of the best sqauds they've ever had and with an expanded World Cup. Jackson so very nearly kept us up in his first spell in charge, but doesn't have the experience as a first-team coach.

Gerrard feels a risk, and often gets put in that "great player doesn't make a great coach" bracket, but given the success Frank Lampard has found this season with Coventry then perhaps that alumni of Premier League greats can finally shine as coaches?

I said this a few days ago and I say it again. Whoever you get, get it right!

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Scott Parker has had to endure another torrid time in the Premier League as manager.

Parker's 664-day reign at Burnley has ended in disappointing fashion as he leaves the Clarets eight days after being relegated from the top flight.

On three occasions, Parker has proved his pedigree in regrouping a relegated side and returning them to the Premier League.

However, it's in the top division where Parker has come unstuck with Bournemouth, Fulham and now Burnley.

After stints in the Premier League and Championship, the 45-year-old chose a different route and opted for European management.

But 12 games into his tenure at Belgian side Club Bruges, he was sacked.

It was at Turf Moor where the former Premier League player would have an emphatic return to football management.

The Clarets secured 100 points alongside Leeds United last season to secure their promotion and Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire that he spent a "year contemplating" after his time in Belgium.

Unfortunately for Parker, his style and winless runs had already prompted some fans to turn against him.

One Burnley fan on this page said: "Parker has shown at Bournemouth, Fulham and Burnley that the Championship is his limit."

Whether that is the case - he undoubtedly will be "contemplating" where it all went wrong during his final season at Burnley.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Scott Parker's departure, its timing and whether you agree with the club's decision.

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: You have to wonder why the director of football hasn't been sacked along with those responsible for recruitment. It's not all Parker's fault.

Paul: Parker has tried hard but not succeeded and his departure is well overdue. Looking forward to a more proactive approach from a new manager who can instill a positive, winning mindset in the squad.

Bob: Great in the Championship but it's been difficult in the Premier league. Let down by our recruitment and our board. That won't change with a new manager. I wish him every success wherever he goes. Thank you.

Alan: Useless. What on earth is the Burnley board doing? Their ineptitude is beyond belief. If Parker had to go it was at Christmas, what is the point now? They must have a list of possible replacements so three weeks is not going to make the slightest difference. Parker should at least have been given the respect of being allowed to leave with a full season under his belt, rather than maintaining the tag of unable to manage a complete Premier League season. Disgraceful.

Barry: I think Scott Parker is an honest football person and he has conducted himself this season as a true gentleman. What you need to ask yourself is whether anyone else would have got more out of this current squad? And probably not. I wish Scott all the very best.

Richard: The Sean Dyche legacy of "legs, hearts, minds" and "the minimum requirement is maximum effort" has gone missing this season after such a strong promotion. I wish Scott Parker well and look forward to a return to the days when visiting teams hate coming to the Turf.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley's pre-match news conference, which was scheduled to take place at 14:00 BST, has been cancelled.

The club have confirmed no media duties will be undertaken before Friday's Premier League fixture at Leeds United.

Image source, Getty Images

Scott Parker has issued a statement in the wake of his departure from Turf Moor.

"It has been an immense privilege to lead this great club over the past two years. I have enjoyed every moment of our journey together, but feel that now is the right time for both parties to move in a different direction.

"I reflect back with great pride on what we achieved during my time at the club, especially our unforgettable promotion season in 2024-25, and it was a true honour to lead this team into the Premier League.

"I would like to thank Alan and the ownership group for their support during my time at the club. My thanks also go to the fantastic and tireless staff behind the scenes and, most importantly, to the players, who have given me everything since the first day I arrived.

"Finally, thank you to the Burnley fans. I wish you all and this great club nothing but the very best for the future."

How do you view Parker's overall time in charge? What legacy does he leave at Turf Moor?

Send us your comments here