Burnley boss Owen Coyle closes in on Bolton switch

Posted Wednesday, January 06, 2010 by BBC.com

Burnley boss Owen Coyle looks set to be appointed the new Bolton manager after the Clarets revealed he had "reaffirmed his desire to leave" Turf Moor. Burnley boss Owen Coyle closes in on Bolton switch

But Burnley and Bolton are yet to agree compensation for the Scot.

It is believed that Burnley want about £3m for Coyle, who signed a 12-month extension to his three-year contract in the summer.

Bolton are looking for a new manager after sacking Gary Megson last week after two-and-a-half years in charge.

Megson, 50, was axed with the club 18th in the Premier League.

Having played for Bolton between 1993 and 1995, Coyle would be a popular appointment with fans, who regularly hit out at Megson for what they perceived to be his negative tactics.

Trotters chairman Phil Gartside had Coyle, a former striker, on his shortlist for the Bolton manager's job before he appointed Megson in October 2007 and subsequently recommended him to Lancashire rivals Burnley, where he took over the following month.

During his time at the Clarets, Coyle has revolutionised the club, masterminding their promotion to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

Despite making a good start to the season, which included a victory over Manchester United, Coyle has voiced frustration at the lack of resources at his disposal in comparison to local rivals such as Bolton.

And recent results have left the club in 14th place, two points above the relegation zone.

But defender Clarke Carlisle hopes that Coyle can remain at Turf Moor.

"He has done a fantastic job this far with Burnley and as a player I hope he sees it out to completion because we are nowhere near the finished article yet," he told BBC Five Live.

"We've seen 12 months that has been unheralded at Burnley. We've had so much to enjoy and great success and when you have someone you feel has been the instigator of that success you don't want to part company with them.

"I'm sure the chairman won't be willing to let him go cheaply and us as players hope he won't go on the cheap because he is a fantastic manager and a fantastic asset to the club."

Coyle, born in Paisley, began his professional playing career with Dumbarton.

After joining Airdrie he finished the 1989/90 season as top scorer in the Scottish League, winning promotion and reaching the Scottish Cup final.

He signed for Bolton in 1993 for £250,000 and won promotion to the Premiership at the end of the 1994/95 campaign. Burnley boss Owen Coyle closes in on Bolton switch

During his time with the Trotters, he also won his one and only Republic of Ireland cap.

After spells with Dundee United, Motherwell, Dunfermline, Airdrie and Ross County, he became co-player-manager at Falkirk alongside John Hughes in 2003.

Stints as player-coach at Dundee United and Airdrie followed before he took over at Scottish First Division side St Johnstone, guiding Saints to the League Cup and Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Then on 22 November 2007, Coyle agreed a three-year contract to become manager of Burnley.

He steered the Clarets to League Cup wins over Chelsea and Arsenal before winning promotion to the Premier League with victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.