Chennai: Indian Super League (ISL) team Chennai FC has made a highly anticipated announcement, revealing the return of Owen Coyle as their head coach ahead of the upcoming 2023–24 season. The experienced Scotsman has signed a multi-year deal with the club, generating great excitement among fans and the football community.
Coyle is a well-known figure in Indian football, having previously enjoyed a successful stint with Chennaiyin FC. During his previous tenure, he led the team to the final of the 2019-20 ISL with an impressive record of eight wins. This achievement has endeared him to the Chennaiyin faithful, who eagerly anticipate his return.
The seasoned coach has an impressive track record not only in Indian football but also in the English Premier League, one of the world’s top football leagues. In his first season as manager in England, Coyle guided Burnley to promotion to the Premier League by defending Sheffield United in the 2008-09 Play-Off Final. He later joined Bolton Wanderers, where he led the team to the FA Cup semi-finals in his first season, establishing them as a resilient Premier League side. Coyle also had a successful stint in Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Houston Dynamo in the United States.
Most recently, Coyle coached Queen’s Park Football Club in the second tier of Scottish football, guiding them to a commendable third-place finish in the league stage and helping them qualify for the promotion playoffs to the Scottish Premier Division.
Expressing his excitement about returning to Chennaiyin FC, Coyle stated in an official statement released by the club, “I am really excited to be back at Chennaiyin FC. It was a wonderful experience last time. The club has had fantastic success, and we want to try to replicate that. It’s going to be tough; we know that, but we all love the challenge of football. I’m excited to replicate the success that the club had previously for our wonderful fans, and I look forward to seeing them soon.”
The co-owner of Chennaiyin FC, Vita Dani, expressed delight at having Coyle back in the Chennaiyin colours, acknowledging his previous accomplishments in India. “Owen is no stranger to India, and we’ve all seen what he can do here. He’s the right man to lead our young team forward, and we’re glad to have him back home,” Dani commented.
Before taking charge of the team in August, Coyle will fulfil the obligations of his previous contract with Queens Park FC. As a former player, Coyle enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker, featuring in the English Premier League and representing clubs such as Dundee United and Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, accumulating an impressive tally of over 300 goals.
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