ISL 2019-20 | Have followed ISL over the years, reveals Owen Coyle
Chennaiyin FC's new head coach Owen Coyle has revealed that he has followed ISL over the years and shared why he preferred to come to India and coach Chennaiyin. The Scotsman also shared his aim for Marina Machans this season with the team currently ranked ninth on the table with just five points.
Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC appointed Scotsman Owen Coyle as their new coach in the place resigned John Gregory. Gregory left the club after Chennaiyin's poor form which started after his first season's ISL title in 2017-18. The Marina Machans are now ninth on the table with five points and are struggling to score goals.
Owen Coyle, who managed Premier League clubs Burnley and Bolton Wanderers, has stated that he has followed ISL over the years and revealed why he chose to come to India.
"I have followed the Indian Super League over the years, since its inception, truth be told as there have always been many friends and colleagues involved in it. I have played with some of the coaches who have been at the ISL, Steve Coppell and Phil Brown for instance. Phil and I played together at Bolton Wanderers and even competed against each other in the Premier League," Coyle told Sportstar in an interview.
"There’s also a few of my former players here currently. So I am aware of the league and how the brand has grown over the years. And this is another wonderful opportunity, coming to a wonderful club like Chennaiyin."
The Scotsman whose last assignment was with Ross County in Scotland, spoke about his discussion with Chennaiyin owners Vita Dani and Abhishek Bachchan and revealed why he choose to sign with Chennaiyin. Coyle, also added that he believed in the project that both the owners envisioned for the club and that he believes he can help them achieve exactly what they want Chennaiyin FC to do in the near future.
"I’ve had some very good conversations with the owners Vita Dani and Abhishek Bachchan. I could tell how passionate they are and how much love and care they have for the club. And I think that’s very important. There’s no doubt they are honourable people, which was a big attraction. Their ambition, passion and the outline for the club struck home to me that this is a club on the way up; that has had success but at the same time wants to get back to that level again."
"I look forward to coming in and playing my part and helping the players and the club in continuing to build the brand. Ultimately, you want Chennaiyin to be known globally. The only way to do that is to keep building. There’s a good solid platform here. We have to improve things and make them better." the Scotsman added.
The 53-year-old who played as a striker for several clubs in England and Scotland and scored well over 200 career goals spoke about his objective at Chennaiyin and what he believes he can do with the club. The Scotsman also added that he hoped to help the club climb further up the ladder but his task will be made easier thanks to a wide array of talented players at his disposal.
"Our objective is obviously to take one game at a time and keep improving. Looking at the squad, I think there are some very good players here. Our job is to try and get them to the maximum level. They have shown potential but now we have to get the level of their performance up, to turn those draws into three points. And when you can win games, it’s obviously shown that you can catapult up the league."
"The other thing that is very important in football is momentum. If you can get on that run it would be great. The club has shown that in previous seasons, have found the momentum and gone on a winning run," he added.