CHENNAI: As reported by TOI in June, Chennaiyin FC have announced the return of former Premier League manager Owen Coyle as their head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season on a multi-year deal.
The experienced Scotsman, who has coached EPL clubs like Bolton and Burnley and won the Premier League Manager of the Month Award thrice, is a known name in the Indian football circuit and has had a successful stint with Chennaiyin in the 2019-20 season when he led the club to the final of ISL with eight wins. The 57-year-old also won the ISL League Shield with Jamshedpur FC in 2021-22 with 43 points, which was the highest at the time in the history of the tournament.
Most recently, Coyle coached Queen's Park Football Club in the second tier of Scottish football and guided them to a third-place finish in the league stage, helping them qualify for the promotion play-offs to the Scottish Premier Division.
As a player, Coyle had a long and successful career as a striker. Besides featuring in the EPL, he also played for clubs like Dundee United and Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. He has more than 300 goals to his name.
Happy with the development, Coyle said, "Really excited to be back at Chennaiyin FC. It was a wonderful experience the last time. The club has had fantastic success and we want to try and replicate that. It's going to be tough; we know that but we all love the challenge of that in football. I'm excited to replicate the successes that the club had previously for our wonderful fans and I look forward to seeing them soon."
Chennaiyin co-owner Vita Dani said, "We're delighted to have Owen back in Chennaiyin colours. 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."
Fulfilling the obligations of his previous contract with Queens Park FC, Owen will only be able to take charge of Chennaiyin in August.
