Coyle committed to Burnley amid Scotland rumours

Pa
Tuesday 17 November 2009 11:58 EST
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Coyle has been linked with the vacant Scotland post
Coyle has been linked with the vacant Scotland post (Getty)

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Owen Coyle has ruled himself out of the running for the Scotland manager's job by committing his future to Burnley.

Coyle is one of several names to have been linked with the post since George Burley's dismissal on Monday following the team's 3-0 loss to Wales.

Coyle is widely recognised as one of the brightest young managerial talents in the game, but the Glaswegian has made it clear that his future lies at Turf Moor.

"There's nothing to be said about Scotland, I'm the Burnley manager and that's it," Coyle said.

"Without going overboard about it, we'll put some closure on this just now.

"We have a big, big job here to do what we are doing in the Premier League and I don't want any distraction ahead of the Aston Villa game on Saturday.

"It's as simple as that - I'm the Burnley manager. I've been in the position before where there has been advances from other clubs and I have always said that I am loving everything that I am doing at this football club.

"That remains the case so I think that would tell everybody my feelings. I love it at Burnley Football Club, my job is here and that is what I will look to continue to do."

Discussing other potential candidates, Coyle suggested Burley's successor need not be Scottish.

He said: "The bottom line is that you want someone who can go out and deliver success and bring it back to Scottish football.

"When you look back at the history, the national team has probably punched above their weight, for such a small country to reach the World Cup finals and Europeans Championships in the way that they did.

"But there's no reason with their group of players and the younger players coming through and the right man in charge, that they can't go on and qualify for major championships."

Coyle cited England coach Fabio Capello as an example of how a coach's credentials for the job should take precedence over his nationality.

"When all is said and done you want the right man in charge, and England have shown that," Coyle said.

"I believe there is a lot of top English coaches out there but they went for Mr Capello. He has taken them to the championships and who is to say they won't thrive."

Coyle offered his sympathies to Burley and said he expected the former Ipswich and Hearts boss, who oversaw only three victories during a 22-month stint in charge of Scotland, to return to management soon.

"George Burley is a nice man, but with the nature of football - we all know how it works," he said.

"We know the nature of the beast and we know it is a results-driven business.

"If you're not picking up results, ultimately somebody is going to pay a price for that and normally we find that's the manager.

"We are all acutely aware of the highs and lows of football and I wish George all the best. I'm sure he will look to bounce back quickly."

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