Coyle admits money talked in Bolton switch

NEW Bolton manager Owen Coyle yesterday confirmed financial factors influenced his move to the Reebok Stadium but stressed his own earning potential was not the reason he left Burnley.

Coyle arrives at Bolton after helping Burnley win promotion and secure a place in the top flight for the first time in 33 years. That extraordinary achievement saw the Glasgow-born boss courted by Celtic in the wake of the Clarets’ Wembley play-off victory.

However, Coyle rejected his boyhood heroes, insisting there is nowhere better to work in the world than the Premier League. He will continue to do that at Bolton, a team fighting a relegation battle, after being left frustrated by Burnley’s prudent approach regarding potential signings.

Coyle said: “When I came into the job at Burnley I was probably in the bottom three in terms of salaries in the Championship. It did not faze me because money has never been my motivation. If I had wanted money I would have taken the Celtic job and trebled, maybe even quadrupled my salary.

“The people at Burnley knew that. They knew I was ambitious. Managers do one or two things. They do well or they don’t. If they don’t they lose their jobs. Anyone who knows me is aware I put my heart and soul into that job and left no stone unturned.

“There were financial restraints and an embargo placed last January, which meant I could not bring a player in. No-one was aware of that, not even my staff. I kept that to myself and got on with it.

“Yes, I have disappointed a lot of people by leaving the club, I accept that, but I can look at myself in the mirror and know I conducted myself right in the right manner.”

Coyle, however, is undecided as to whether he will dip into the transfer market this winter after being promised funds by chairman Phil Gartside.

“I have to be fair to the squad and assess the players,” said Coyle. “I have always felt the January window can be an inflated market anyway. It is something we have to look at. Bolton have always backed their manager in that regard.”

Coyle has encouraged his teams to play an expansive game and he knows that is what Bolton supporters want after the departure of Gary Megson. However the former St Johnstone manager said: “I don’t think you can change from one style to another overnight but we will look for gradual progression.

“I believe we have the players to keep us in the Premier League – and that has to be the priority. It will involve a lot of hard work. There is no magic wand where you sprinkle fairy dust and everything happens.”