Coyle rumoured to become next Motherwell boss

Former Ireland international Owen Coyle is being lined up as manager of Motherwell.

This follows the departure of Maurice Malpas, who quit after one year in charge at the Scottish club.

Coyle steered St Johnstone into the SPL, as well as cup semi-finals, last season.

Malpas had been under pressure after a run of one win in 13 games, a sequence which saw Motherwell dragged into the battle to avoid relegation from the SPL.

The club stayed up – despite losing a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat by St Mirren in their final home game – when Dunfermline lost at Inverness.

But the loss prompted a large section of the Motherwell support to call for Malpas’ head and about 200 fans protested outside Fir Park.