Coyle denies he has agreed deal to take over at Celtic

Published on Wednesday 27 May 2009 22:49

CELTIC's hopes of a swift conclusion to their search for Gordon Strachan's successor appeared to suffer a blow last night when Owen Coyle denied his appointment as the club's new manager is imminent.

Coyle had emerged as the clear favourite for the job, despite Burnley's determination to hold on to the man who has ended their 33-year exile from the top flight of English football.

The 42-year-old former St Johnstone manager, a boyhood Celtic supporter, is understood to have been sounded out about the prospect of succeeding Strachan who resigned on Monday.

Some reports claimed Coyle could even be in place at Parkhead by the end of this week, but he has insisted that was unfounded speculation.

He told his club website: "There has been no approach to Burnley Football Club. It is people simply putting two and two together and making five. I am going on holiday with my family this weekend and I can assure you I will be doing so as Burnley manager."

Barry Kilby, the Burnley chairman, had earlier made it clear Coyle would have to break his contract with the Lancashire club if he wanted to accept any offer from Celtic. "We have received no approach from Celtic for Owen," said Kilby. "If Celtic approach me today, tomorrow or the day after that, I will turn them down.

"If Owen was sat opposite me right now, I'd say to him that this is a fabulous stage and that he has to try out his skills in the biggest league in the world. He has a big career in front of him.

"There is no clause in his contract that allows Owen to walk away. He has another two years remaining on his present deal and we have already had discussions on a new one.

"We have a job to do in the Premier League and so far as I am concerned Owen will be here doing that job next season whether Celtic call me or not."

Sources close to Coyle had suggested it was "50-50" whether he decided to grasp the opportunity to take what he regards as his dream job at Celtic or opts to remain at Burnley for a crack at the Premier League next season.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, who was in Rome for last night's Champions League final, is unlikely to be deterred from making an official approach to Burnley for Coyle.

With Everton manager David Moyes committing his future to the Goodison Park club last week, Coyle jumped to the head of the list of potential replacements for Strachan drawn up by Lawwell and Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, whom Strachan has recommended as his successor, West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray and former Leeds United and Aston Villa manager David O'Leary are also under consideration.

It is Coyle, however, who is believed to be in pole position to become the 15th manager in Celtic's 121-year history if he indicates his willingness to take the job.

Celtic are keen to make the appointment of a new manager as expeditiously as possible following last Sunday's failure to retain the SPL title. The first team squad are scheduled to resume pre-season training on 27 June with their first friendly fixture taking place in Brisbane against Queensland Roar on 12 July.

Ensuring the new manager has as much time as possible to prepare for the new campaign is crucial, as Celtic must negotiate two qualifying rounds to make it to the group stage of the Champions League. The first of those two-legged qualifiers are on 28/29 July and 4/5 August.