Burnley appoint Michael Jackson as interim head coach
Burnley have confirmed that assistant coach Michael Jackson will take charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the 2025–26 season, following the departure of head coach Scott Parker after the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The announcement comes after Parker left Turf Moor by mutual consent, with the decision reached in the aftermath of a disappointing campaign that saw Burnley struggle to compete in the top flight.
The club’s relegation was confirmed after their defeat to Manchester City, prompting discussions between Parker and the board over his future before both parties agreed to part ways.
Jackson, who has been part of Burnley’s coaching staff, will now oversee the team for the remaining fixtures of the season. The club stated that he will be supported by the existing backroom staff as Burnley prepare to conclude their Premier League campaign and begin planning for life back in the Championship.
Burnley’s struggles this season have been stark. Despite securing promotion in the 2024–25 campaign under Parker with an impressive record, the team has found the step up to the Premier League challenging. They managed only a handful of wins and conceded heavily, ultimately finishing in the relegation zone with several matches still to play.
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Parker, who was appointed in July 2024 following Vincent Kompany’s departure, had initially enjoyed significant success with the club. His side delivered a strong Championship campaign, earning promotion and raising expectations ahead of their return to the top flight. However, the inability to translate that form into Premier League survival proved decisive in his exit.
🚨🟣 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Michael Jackson will be in charge of Burnley until the end of the season. ✅ pic.twitter.com/oZqvMNOS5p
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 30, 2026
In a statement, Burnley thanked Parker for his “professionalism, dedication and contribution” during his tenure, highlighting the achievements of the promotion season while acknowledging the difficulties of the current campaign. The club has also confirmed that the process of appointing a permanent head coach for the 2026–27 season is already underway.
Jackson’s appointment marks a return to a familiar role, having previously stepped in as caretaker manager during a difficult period for the club in 2022. His immediate task will be to stabilise performances and guide Burnley through their final matches of the season, which include challenging fixtures as they look to end the campaign on a positive note.
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Attention will now turn to Burnley’s longer-term future, with several managerial candidates reportedly under consideration as the club prepares for another rebuild in the Championship. The Clarets have experienced a cycle of promotion and relegation in recent years, and the next appointment will be crucial in determining whether they can achieve sustained stability.
It is important to clarify that the Michael Jackson appointed by Burnley is not the late pop star, but a football coach who has been working within the club’s coaching setup.
