Owen Coyle hoping to follow in Harry Redknapp’s footsteps by leading Bolton into Europe

FA Cup: Owen Coyle, Bolton

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Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is hoping to emulate Harry Redknapp’s achievements by leading a team from relegation candidates to European contenders.

Coyle took over the reins at Bolton last season under a cloud, having left Lancashire rivals Burnley but he has overturned their fortunes and they are now in the FA Cup semi-final which, if they win, will in all likelihood get them into Europe next season.

The Scot is looking forward to the prospect of bringing European football to the Reebok Stadium.

He told the People: “As a manager you want to push yourselves to the maximum and your players to the maximum and try to get that bit better.”

“Something like European football should be cherished. Football is still the same game wherever it is played. You just go up a level and deal with better players.

“But you want that because it makes you better. Some of the players here are capable of playing for any club. And I mean any club.”

Coyle is hoping that European competition can help take his management to the next level much as it has for Redknapp since taking Tottenham to the Champions League.

“European football is a great goal for any manager,” he said.

“Look at Harry. He has been a great manager for years but you can see from his face how he is loving the involvement of Champions League.

“Even at this stage of his career he has probably become a better manager for that experience.”