Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler was diagnosed with sepsis in January 2026, after experiencing symptoms such as a dropped blood pressure, low oxygen levels, and dizziness. She was rushed to A&E and given treatment for her lungs, before being sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further testing. Bachteler had to learn to walk again and still suffers from post-sepsis syndrome, which leads to dizzy spells and extreme fatigue.

Bachteler praises Burnley's support throughout the process, saying that club doctors "saved her life" and have put her in touch with a respiratory specialist. She hopes to use the game as a tool to help others recognise the signs of sepsis and raise awareness about the condition. Bachteler will take charge of her first game at Turf Moor on Sunday, coinciding with World Sepsis Day.