Coyle’s return is in the nick of time

I hope Owen Coyle is an immediate success at Wigan because he can’t afford anything less.

It seems a bit daft, but that’s management for you. It’s a cruel business.

Owen’s a guy I’ve got a lot of time for. He’s an absolute gentleman and a top coach.

But when your last job ends in a sacking, you’re automatically going to be under scrutiny when you return.

It’s going to be an odd situation for Owen because for a long time he was seen as a golden boy.

In bringing Burnley into the Premier League, keeping them stable there for five months then leaving for bigger things at Bolton he became a genuine phenomenon.

His players loved him, the fans were under his spell and the media couldn’t get enough.

Even when he couldn’t keep Wanderers up in his second season, he was rightly hailed for the way he handled himself throughout the season.

Ultimately, however, winning only three of his first 10 matches in the Championship wasn’t good enough.

Since then, he’s kept relatively quiet, making the odd appearance to reveal he’d turned down offers from several clubs to get back into the thick of things.

It wasn’t the right time, he said.

Six months down the line, Wigan have come along and just in time.

Bosses who spend too long out of the game after losing jobs tend to get to a point where they’re seen as tainted and aren’t taken seriously any more.

Just look at the likes of Alan Curbishley and Glenn Hoddle. Great coaches but constantly overlooked.

Owen’s got back in just at the right time, and I think he’ll recognise that.

Fortunately, I reckon Wigan at this stage are a perfect fit for him.

If he can keep hold of a few key players, he’ll be inheriting a good side a side that beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup just a few weeks ago.

He’s also got experience of winning promotion from the Championship with Burnley and that will stand him in good stead.

Dave Whelan’s a shrewd chairman and he’s also not one to interfere.

So it won’t surprise me if Owen gets on with his business at the DW Stadium quietly and builds a side that is more than capable of coming straight back up to the Premier League.

If that’s what happens I’ll be chuffed to bits, because Owen’s a manager who I believe still has a lot to offer.