Owen Coyle leaves Houston Dynamo by mutual consent

Head coach Owen Coyle has left Houston Dynamo. Picture: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

The Glasgow-born manager has left the Major League Soccer club by mutual agreement.

“It is unfortunate that we were unable to achieve the goals we set forth together and that we find ourselves mutually parting ways as a result of many professional and personal circumstances,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. “Without a doubt, Owen brought many great qualities to the club.”

Coyle, who formerly managed Falkirk, St Johnstone, Burnley, Bolton and Wigan, was in his second season at Houston. They finished eighth in the Western Conference last year and are currently bottom having won just three of 12 matches.

“I asked Chris if I could speak with him today and I explained to him the challenge of being away from my family and how we all want the best for Houston Dynamo,” Coyle said statement released by the team. “We have a brilliant club, and I have no doubt success is just around the corner.”

Assistant coach Sandy Stewart has also left.

Coyle was seen as a rising star of management following his promising work with St Johnstone and Burnley. He guided the Lancashire club into the Premier League via the play-offs in 2009, the first time Burnley had played in top tier of English football for 33 years.

Celtic were strongly linked with a move for Coyle that summer but he pledged his future to Burnley only to leave midway through the 2009-10 season for local rivals Bolton.

Bolton were relegated to the Championship in 2012 and Coyle’s contract was terminated in October that year.

Scottish heritage: for stories on Scotland’s people, places and past >>