Hjalmar Ekdal opens up on Burnley’s ‘messy’ start

Hjalmar Ekdal has admitted Burnley’s poor start to the season has been a “bit messy” - not helped by upheaval behind the scenes.

The centre-back is currently away on international duty with Sweden, who kick off their Nations League campaign against Romania on Friday.

Ekdal was on media duty ahead of the game and was inevitably asked about Burnley’s disastrous start to the campaign, which sees them prop up the Championship table without a win to their name from their first eight games.

“It’s a bit messy,” he said, as per Swedish outlet Aftonbladet. “Not chaotic, but uncertain. The CEO [James Holroyd] is stepping down and stuff.

“It’s not an optimal start, we haven’t won in eight games. It’s not good for any club, but especially not one that comes down from the Premier League and has a squad where many have higher ambitions.”

When asked if the issues off the pitch could be affecting how Nicky Hayen’s side are performing on it, Ekdal added: “Yes, of course it could be connected.”

Ekdal also weighed in on the early season pressure mounting on Hayen, just two months into the Belgian’s reign.

Hayen put himself under more pressure when he failed to beat Derby County last weekend in a game he described as “must-win”.

Despite the 1-1 draw, it appears Hayen’s job is safe for now as Burnley head into a three-week international break before the trip to Watford on October 10.

“I assume so [that Hayen will stay], but I don’t know,” Ekdal said.

“These are things happening behind the scenes that we players aren’t involved in or privy to. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

During the summer Ekdal was linked with a return to Swedish side Djurgarden, where his brother Albin currently works in a behind-the-scenes role.

But the 27-year-old has suggested the move was never particularly close.

He explained: “I wouldn’t move back to Sweden just because there’s a bit of uncertainty in my current club. It’s common for there to be a bit of uncertainty.

“There’s a large organisation with many roles in each club, power plays and hierarchies behind the scenes.

“Not quite so far gone that it was "yes or no". It was a dialogue and will be negotiated between clubs, I honestly don't know how close it was. But there was interest, I don't know what else you can say. It wasn't really close maybe.”