Burnley caretaker manager Mike Jackson has delivered a damning verdict on his side's season after a 1-1 draw with bottom club Wolves confirmed the Clarets would finish 19th in the Premier League. Speaking after the match at Turf Moor, Jackson said: 'There is nothing to celebrate here. Avoiding finishing bottom is not an achievement for a club like Burnley. We have been relegated, and that is the only fact that matters.'
The draw, which saw goals from Burnley's Lyle Foster and Wolves' Matheus Cunha, left the Clarets on 26 points — one point clear of Wolves in 20th. Despite the narrow escape from the wooden spoon, Jackson was scathing about the campaign's overall performance. 'We set out to compete in this league, not just to avoid being the worst. We have fallen short in too many areas, and that starts with me and the players,' he added.
Burnley's relegation was confirmed two weeks ago following a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, ending a two-year stay in the top flight. The club now faces an uncertain summer, with Jackson's own position unclear and key players expected to depart. Midfielder Josh Brownhill and goalkeeper James Trafford have been linked with moves away, while the board must decide whether to retain Jackson or appoint a permanent manager for the Championship campaign.
The result means Wolves, under new manager Gary O'Neil, finish rock bottom with 25 points — their lowest top-flight tally since 2011-12. O'Neil acknowledged the disappointment but urged focus on rebuilding. 'Finishing last hurts, but we have to use this as a foundation. The club needs stability and a clear plan,' he said.
For Burnley, the task ahead is daunting. With parachute payments softening the financial blow, the club must rebuild a squad capable of an immediate return to the Premier League. Jackson, however, refused to look too far ahead. 'Right now, we need to reflect on where we went wrong. Celebrating 19th place is not in our DNA, and it never should be.'
Source: BBC Sport, Sky Sports