Owen Coyle mulls over next move after an Indian summer

Owen Coyle’s Chennaiyin FC lost the Indian Super Play-Off Final 3-1 to ATK in Goa last night.

ATK secured a record third title in a game that was played behind closed doors due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Now, Coyle will mull over his next move.

The club is desperate for him, and his assistant Sandy Stewart, to commit their long-term futures.

But they will take their time before making any decision.

Coyle has enhanced his reputation out there after inheriting a side near the bottom of the table three months ago – they weren’t considered title challengers.

He turned them around and put them on a winning run but, unfortunately, they just fell short of their big-spending opponents.

Coyle was proud of their his players’ input, however, and told The Sunday Post: “The past few months have been an unbelievable experience.

“I am very proud of the players for giving everything.

“They are a hungry bunch and they came into training every day willing to listen and to work hard.

“We just didn’t quite have enough in the end.

“ATK are a very good team and they have had a big budget to spend on players.

“But we come out of this feeling very proud as what a few weeks it has been.

“Sandy and I will now go away and take stock.

“The club has made their intentions very clear. We’ll have a think about things.

“In the past I have taken jobs to help people out and probably hasn’t always been the right thing to do.

“I wanted my next move to be the right one and coming to India has worked very well.

“We know we are good at what we do and the hunger and desire has always been there to be involved in the game.

“I have always said that I have been blessed to have been involved in football for more than 30 years.

“I have had some wonderful times along the way. I hope there are more to come.”

Whether he stays on for next season after the summer, or returns to the UK, 53-year-old Coyle has nothing but praise for the standard of player in Indian football.

Coyle, whose managerial career has seen spells at St Johnstone, Burnley, Bolton, Wigan, Blackburn Rovers, Ross County and Houston Dynamo, said: “Yeah, it’s an untapped market.

“Clubs in the UK should be looking but the difficulty is getting work permits.

“That can be extremely challenging.

“Other countries such as Portugal and Holland have had an edge over the UK when it comes to that.

“When you look some of the young Brazilians they have signed over the years, it comes down to the fact they don’t have the same criteria as us.

“However, it is worth keeping an eye on because they all have great attitudes and they are wanting to improve.

“I know for sure there are a number of Indian players who could come to the UK and succeed.”