Trotters expect long Coyle stay

Trotters expect long Coyle stay

Published May. 29, 2011 11:37 a.m. ET

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside insists only one of England's biggest clubs could tempt Trotters manager Owen Coyle away from the Reebok Stadium.

After completing a 10th consecutive season in the top flight, Gartside has been delighted with Coyle's first 16 months in charge.

And the Bolton supremo says Coyle has what it takes to steer the club through another 10 years in the top flight.

Gartside told the Bolton News: "In some respects, that (Coyle leaving) doesn't worry me because the jobs Owen could go and do from here, he would have had to do a phenomenal job and it will take him time to build that reputation, so I think we've got some very good times ahead.

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"It will be interesting to see how far he can go. I think even at 54 [in 10 years' time] he'd still be a young manager. It's hard to say how long he'll be here.

"But it's his club. He spent the best two years of his playing career at Bolton, his family was brought up in this area and he's settled. Why would he want to leave? It would have to be a big job."

Looking back on a decade in the big time, the chairman revealed his desire to win a cup competition under Coyle.

He said: "Our ambitions are now based on improving the league position and doing well in the cups each season.

"The cups are something you can concentrate on if you feel a bit more secure with your league position. It's only been this last few years we've been able to do that."

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