Former icon tries to justify himself

[bfcmik]

https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/fo ... aX2SzCkSVI

EXCLUSIVE: Former Burnley boss Owen Coyle recalls 'fantastic journey' during Turf Moor stint

Former Burnley boss Owen Coyle says supporters’ attitudes towards him won’t ever change the way he feels about the club.

The 52-year-old church-goer was damned as ‘Judas’ following his Turf Moor exit in early 2010 as he joined Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers.

The Scot, who signed off with a 2-1 win away at MK Dons in the FA Cup, was at the epicentre of fans’ vehement demonstrations that ensued.

Thousands travelled to Burnden Way just weeks later to protest his move as the two sides met at the formerly known Reebok Stadium.

And the atmosphere was similarly hostile and intimidating the following season as Coyle, and assistant Steve Davis, returned with Wanderers in the League Cup.

Speaking ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Clarets’ Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United, Coyle claimed that he could understand the contempt and vitriol aimed in his direction, though he’ll never condone the behaviour.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing,” he said. “Things could have happened differently, without going in to the ins and outs of it all.

“I’ve had criticism for that, but it doesn’t change anything. I understand football. When you have that rapport, the feeling and the togetherness that we had, I can understand it when you’re no longer there and a part of that.

“I’m not saying it’s right, but I totally understand why people get so upset because it’s such a passionate game. We love the game, it’s all consuming.

“I certainly understood why people would vent. It didn’t make it right because there are loads of ins and outs that people don’t know. I understood that could happen because that’s the nature of football, but it doesn’t take away the feelings I have and the moments we shared.”

Reminders of some of Coyle’s successes as a manager adorn the shelves of an out-house at his Ribble Valley home, where signed shirts from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo provide an eye-catching backdrop.

Coyle, who has also been at the helm at Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, was a two-time Premier League Manager of the Month recipient, both with Bolton.

But guiding the Clarets back to the top flight for the first time in 33 years will always stand as his greatest achievement as a coach.

He said: “It was a wonderful time, it’s such a brilliant club. We take a great sense of pride in being a part of the history of that wonderful football club.

“Nobody wishes that club more success than I do. I feel very fortunate and very privileged to have played a small part in helping the club get to where it is.

“We had such a fantastic journey together. The fans were outstanding and I’ve got to thank them for that. They stuck with the manager and the team and that’s why Burnley is such a special club. They’re passionate about their team and they give everyone a fair opportunity. Hand on heart, I can’t say anything negative about that Burnley support.

“They backed me to the hilt and we had some special times. Nobody can say that, while we were there, we didn’t work our socks off.”

[Burnley1989]

Fair enough really is that, obviously difficult to believe anything he says but it’s a nice interview all the same

[Billy Balfour]

I stopped giving a toss about him years ago. Anyway, he did us a massive favour even if it didn't feel like it at the time.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Good luck to him. He took us up. ****** blackburn, bolton and his own career up.

Wish him success in the future now. Hes served his time.

[Steve1956]

If it all went tits ups at the turf,would some of you welcome this fella back,I think one or two might ya know!

[boatshed bill]

He could so easily have avoided the vitriol just by being honest.

[Hipper]

Do we know the full circumstances of his departure?

[bfcmik]

If it all went tits ups at the turf,would some of you welcome this fella back,I think one or two might ya know!

1 trick pony - and when his trick got found out ....

[Sausage]

"Reminders of some of Coyle’s successes as a manager adorn the shelves of an out-house at his Ribble Valley home, where signed shirts from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo provide an eye-catching backdrop."

Nice to read that he's spent his downtime building the Ribble Valley's most impressive sh!tter.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I’ve no doubt there were some issues with us when he left. It was the way he did it that was the issue.

Still, the rest of what he says is spot on.

[Hipper]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletche ... y_smi.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yorkyclaret]

Crawling bar steward

[dandeclaret]

Superb season that promotion year......

[Cirrus_Minor]

He is right about one thing, hindsight is a wonderful thing. If he had of stayed we may have ended up like Blackburn or Bolton, instead we got one of the best managers in the history of the club.

[tim_noone]

Nice to read that he's spent his downtime building the Ribble Valley's most impressive sh!tter.

Reminders of his success ....Ronaldo and Messis shirts.ok..

[beddie]

Do we know the full circumstances of his departure?

Unless you were present at the time of his departure I don't think anyone knows exactly what the full circumstances were. Rather than people continue the vitriol let's look back and think what a great few seasons we had back then and whilst not directly related to his depature just be extremely grateful to the man currently in charge.

[Greeny]

Still my favourite Burnley manager. We played some great football under his stewardship. Happy times + lots of top memories. A few on this messageboard need to give their head a shake - if a competitor offered to double (or more) their salary, I am sure the majority in the same circumstances would have jumped ship as well.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Still my favourite Burnley manager.

And that is where every Burnley fan stopped reading.

[bobinho]

He can **** off....

He can ALWAYS **** off....

[Burnley1989]

If you’d have read the countless threads you’d know it’s the fact he lied over and over again before leaving that annoyed most fans.

He’s absolutely irrelevant now to me, I couldn’t care less about him. He has no loyalty, which I’ve no problem with as long as he doesn’t expect any in return

[Damo]

We wouldn't be where we are without him.
If I ever bump into him, I'll shake his hand and thank him for his service

[Aclaret]

Zzz...zzz...zzz...zzz.

[Cirrus_Minor]

Put the rods away.

[IanMcL]

The team were fantastic, whilst he managed. He really gave them belief

Led us to 2 fantastic cup runs and a play off victory, which took us to the promised land.

Mrs McL and I and daughter and son in law had a great time.

Now without Mrs McL, I thank them all for that family memory.

[willsclarets]

Still my favourite season as a clarets fan, that year we went up - even if he's not (by any stretch) my favourite manager. Some brilliant memories and some excellent football. That 2-0 win against Arsenal in the cup seems even sweeter now on reflection given our recent run against them!

[cricketfieldclarets]

Not only is it unlikely we would be here today. Its unlikely we would even have had ghe belief to be.

[Paul Waine]

Yes, great times all the way up to the MK Dons game and we were in a decent position in our first season in the Premier League..... and then OC left and took most of the coaching staff with him..... and in the January transfer window.

Of course, we were relegated .... and many thought then that we may never get back to Premier League for another 33 years.

I'm sure if OC had seen out the season and then left, even if we still went down, the majority would think "fair enough."

But, when I recall Stamford Bridge, Spurs at Turf Moor and Wembley I can also wish Owen Coyle well.

UTC

[No Ney Never]

Owen Coyle, it's the old love hate thing; love what he did, hate the way he left.
I'd happily shake his hand and thank him for providing us such a good time, but I would finish off by telling him he's still a c#nt for the way he left.

[Rodleydave]

Post 7... It's all in Entertainment Heroes and Villains, pretty much minute by minute. His line in the interview about ins and outs that people don't know about is pure spin. The interview reminds me of Theresa May's exit speech but without the tears.

[bobinho]

If I ever shook his hand, I’d count my fingers as he was leaving.

Paul Waine hits the nail on the head for me, with the exception of his last paragraph.

I recall all those games, and it really was a magical time that most believed we’d never see again, but we are here now, with a manager who exudes class, dignity and honour- qualities sadly lacking from sheepsteeth.

Why am I so ****** off with him still? Because he had me fooled, he sucked me in and I believed in what he said and what he was doing here. Turns out he didn’t want to do it here after all, and in doing what he did, how he did and when he did, he royally ****** us over. For those who wanna let it be, fair play to ya. I don’t want to let it be and I won't. It would’ve been all too easy for us to collapse again after that relegation. Thankfully we didn’t, but it was ALWAYS a possibility thanks to that ****.

As I said above when I didn’t really have a lot of time, he can **** off. Realising now what he should’ve then and trying to blow smoke up my arse by saying what a great club we are and how great the fans are doesn’t cut it I’m afraid. I don’t believe he believes it, mind you, I don’t believe anything that comes out of his mouth. If it was midnight and he told me it was dark, I’d go outside to check.