Owen Coyle Set to Become Celtic Manager, Or Is He?

According to media reports this afternoon, Owen Coyle is expected to become the new Celtic manager by the end of the week. According to these reports Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had spoken to the 42-year-old Burnley manager, who has just taken his side into the Premier League in his first full season in charge.

Despite being linked to his boyhood heroes, Burnley are anxious to keep a hold of their manager and have offered him a contract extension. Operations Director Brendan Flood said he is “100% sure that Owen Coyle will lead Burnley in to their first season in the top flight in 33 years.”

He joined Burnley in November 2007, a few days before St Johnstone won the SFL Challenge Cup final against Dunfermline. Coyle took the helm at McDiarmid Park in April 2005, finishing second in the First Division. The Perth club, who recorded a surprise 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox that season, also reached the semi-final stage of both domestic cup competitions, losing to the eventual winners on both occasions.

Celtic’s leading scorer Scott McDonald is an admirer of what Coyle has achieved in his short time at Burnley.

“He’s done a fantastic job,” McDonald said of Coyle. “We’ve kept a close eye on Burnley this year as well because Gaz Caldwell’s brother plays for them, so we’ve been hearing about Burnley for the last 12 months. We’ve seen a lot of them on TV and they’ve played some great stuff at times. It’s not for me to comment on who’s going to be the next manager—it’s not my decision. I’ll just be happy to pull on the Hoops again next year and work as hard as I can for whoever that is.”

However Burnley have have reacted to speculation linking the 42-year-old with The Bhoys by issuing a statement on their official website this afternoon.

“Contrary to widespread speculation, Burnley Football Club has not received any official approach from Celtic for the services of manager Owen Coyle, Nor will the club welcome any approaches for Coyle, who remains under contract at Turf Moor.”