The former Burnley player has returned to Turf Moor on a two-and-a-half-year deal as manager and he admitted it felt like coming home. While the former Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday boss has never managed in the top flight, he believes he can prove a success. Speaking at his unveiling, Laws told Sky Sports News: "There's still some people here that I played with and worked with so it's almost like coming back home and I am relishing the challenge, I'm looking forward to it and I'm honoured that Burnley has asked me to be their manager." Laws left Hillsborough by mutual consent in December and when asked how much of a turnaround it was for him, he replied: "I've been in the game a long time. Even though I'm 48 I've managed over 700 games and I've had two clubs in 14 years so I've had the experiences in all the divisions and the one that we're all striving to get to is the Premier League and there are very few opportunities that come along. "I think this is a perfect opportunity, not just for myself, but I think the combination, the way that Burnley want to play, the ethos of the football club, it is just we match each other on that. "I want to be challenged with the best, just as much as the players and the supporters - just because it's not on my CV and I haven't worked in the Premiership doesn't necessarily say I can't do the job. I'm a manager and I manage football clubs." Laws does not see his lack of top-flight experience as a problem, agreeing you have got to start somewhere. "You have - I'm grateful for the opportunity, don't get me wrong, I think Owen Coyle's done a fantastic job," he said. "He's had a whirlwind of an 18 months and he's left a great team, spirited team but Owen's moved on and he's dropped the baton, I want to pick it up with the players, we've got a challenge on our hands, we want to take this forward and get across the finishing line that we're staying in the Premiership. "There's an ultimate aim by everybody and in particular the supporters, they have driven this club for a long time, and nobody likes coming to Burnley to play because the atmosphere is fantastic, the crowd are right behind us and I think all of us together, pulling in the right direction, will achieve that success." Laws acknowledged that Coyle would be a hard act to follow but he believes in his managerial capabilities. He added: "The difficulty for any manager taking over any football club is when they've had success. "A manager's left, however he's left a good base to work from. There's still areas that we need to work on, ultimately we have got to work on our away performances, in particular results, and that's something that we'll try and strive to improve on, because we've got to try everything possible to stay in the Premiership. "It's a fantastic foundation that's been left and he's done a terrific job and should be thanked greatly for it but we've got to move on and the players have expressed that." He added: "Make no mistake, I'm a manager that shows passion, wants to win and I want to be part of that and I'll do everything possible to be successful." Laws understands he will have to work within financial constraints but he added there was no substitute for hard work. "If we work just as hard as everybody else, we've got just as much chance of staying in this Premier League - in fact not only staying in it, being comfortable in it." Burnley chairman Barry Kilby insisted Laws was always the club's first choice for the job. Kilby said: "He has been the first choice out of some really excellent candidates. We have been really impressed by his demeanour and his passion for Burnley Football Club. "He stands out. Being an ex-player and having an affection for us helped as well. "I think his record at Sheffield Wednesday, when you look at the budget Brian had to work with, was excellent as well. "Burnley, being the size we are, we have to work within our budgets. It is an exact fit for us." Kilby admitted the club did speak to O'Driscoll but insists compensation was not an issue because a decision was made to appoint Laws. He added: "It wasn't compensation, there were no stumbling blocks. We had several excellent candidates, of which Sean was one. "It was simply Brian came out in front of the pack and is the one we have chosen to give this job to and I'm sure we'll have success." Laws has a tough task in following Coyle, who guided the Clarets back to the top flight after a 33-year absence. Yet the former Republic of Ireland striker was also a surprise appointment just over two years ago and Kilby hopes the club's judgement pays off again. He said: "They're all gambles. You never really know until you get out on that pitch. There are parallels from when we took Owen on and let's hope it is successful."
