Burnley confirm appointment of Diego Lopez as chief football officer

Burnley have confirmed the appointment of Diego Lopez as the club’s chief football officer.

The move had been in the works for some time, with his former club Genoa announcing his departure at the start of October.

In a statement announcing the Spaniard’s arrival, the Clarets say the appointment is “the first chapter of a new era” for the club.

Lopez will oversee the club’s football operations, recruitment and sporting structure. There is no mention of his involvement in the club’s search for a new head coach, however.

Chairman Alan Pace said: “This appointment is about raising standards across the whole football club.

“We wanted someone with deep experience in recruitment and player development, a strong knowledge of European markets and a clear understanding of how those come together to strengthen a club over the long term. Diego has a proven record of exactly that.”

Lopez has previously worked as a head scout at Monaco, Lille, Excelsior Mouscron and Bordeaux, while he also held a director of sport role at RC Lens.

“I am eager to start exploring the great potential of this club,” Lopez said.

“I understand our mission and I believe in what Burnley can become in the coming years, if we all work in the same direction with full determination. From my first conversations with Alan, it was clear there is real ambition here and a plan to match it.

“This club means everything to the town and its people. I want our supporters to recognise their team in the way we play, the players we recruit and how we represent the club. The work starts now.”

The Clarets have been on the lookout for a sporting director for some time now, as previously revealed by Alan Pace at a Fan Advisory Board meeting in April.