Who is Michael Jackson? Burnley Football team's new head coach is going viral for his name

Burnley’s new announcement has triggered a new meme fest on the internet. The English Premier League side announced its new head coach, Michael Jackson, until the end of the season following the departure of Scott Parker with immediate effect. 

Michael Jackson, popularly known as Mike Jackson, has been going viral for his name and the reason is obvious: It's because the interim manager shares the name with the legendary King of Pop. Additionally, the announcement has come in the middle of the Michael movie, which was released last month, based on the singer’s biography. This has taken the internet by storm with the announcement post filled with humorous MJ Memes.

The announcement that former Burnley defender Mike Jackson would step in as interim manager for the club’s final Premier League games has sparked an avalanche of memes across X and other platforms. 

Fans immediately latched onto the shared name with the late pop superstar, flooding replies to Fabrizio Romano’s post with dance GIFs, Thriller-themed edits, and puns like “You’ve been hit by… a smooth criminal” and “Burnley are you OK?” The light-hearted reaction turned a routine managerial change into one of the most entertaining moments of the season. While the world is aware of the Bad singer, here is all you need to know about another Michael, the Burnley interim manager. 

All about Burnley’s new boss who shares name with Michael Jackson

Michael James Jackson is a former football player who played as a defender. He played for several clubs, mainly in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra, Bury, Preston North End, Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool, and Shrewsbury Town. 

Jackson announced his retirement in January 2010 following a persistent knee injury and began his coaching career in 2014. Before that, he worked as a caretaker for Shrewsbury Town in 2014, the club he also played for, before taking over as its manager in 2014. 

Jackson then managed Tranmere Rovers, his former team, before moving to Burnley as a caretaker in 2022. He was born in 1973 on December 4 and is 52 years old. Meanwhile, he will take charge of the last four games of the season, starting with Friday's trip to Leeds United.

ALSO READ: Burnley gets Michael Jackson boost ahead of last Premier League game as Scott Parker leaves with immediate effect