I write about former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle who is set to be unveiled as the new manager of Houston Dynamo
Falkirk, St Johnstone, Burnley, Bolton, Wigan… ‘Where to next Owen?’, I was asking myself a month or two ago.
The former Republic of Ireland player had worked hard to get to the helm of some big clubs.
Having impressed in Scotland, Coyle decided to try his hand at managing in England. In fact, Coyle was reportedly interviewed for the Bolton job just before Gary Megson took over. He was later named as Burnley’s new manager and guided them to the Premier League with the likes of Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears and Robbie Blake- who would later join him at Bolton.
Coyle did very well to bring Burnley to the Premier League and did so in true underdog fashion with very limited resources.
In the Premier League, Burnley were doing well under Coyle, too. They were comfortably out of the relegation zone, while Bolton’s future in the top flight looked in severe doubt.
Coyle, having pledged his future to the Turf Moor outift, made the controversial decision to join his former club as a player. Burnley fans branded his as a ‘Juda’ while the legend Owen replied, saying that he was more like Moses, having led them from the wilderness.
Bolton stayed up that year.
The next season we surprised many with our enticing football under OCC (Owen Columba Coyle). The likes of Chung Yong Lee, Fabrice Muamba and Stuart Holden were really shining in a white shirt until the incident against Stoke.
After that we really failed to find any form for the rest of the season, although finished in a respectful 14th place.
Continued in Part 2