Coyle a Scotland Part-Timer?

Almost immediately Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup 2010 on Wednesday night, the knives were out for George Burley with speculation in the media as to who might replace him.

One such name was Owen Coyle who was quick to support Burley and call the links ‘poor taste’ since the Scottish manager was still in the job and was yet to discuss his future with the Scottsh FA(SFA)

It is understood the SFA want to hear Burley’s plans for the development of the national team before they decide his future as manager.A meeting is arranged for this week.

Coyle may believe the speculation to be in poor taste but there are suggestions today that he would take on the Scotland role but only on a part-time basis.

Unfortunately the rumour has been given credibility by the media report in the People due to the fact that Alan Nixon has written it.

Alan Nixon, if you were not aware is a Scottish journalist who is a friend of Owen Coyle and indeed was the bloke who drew Brendan Flood’s attention to Owen Coyle when the club were seeking a new manager following the departure of Steve Cotterill. This is explained and confirmed in Flood’s new book ‘Big Club, Small Town and Me’

Flood explained that Nixon contacted him by email saying that Coyle would be interested in the job. At the time Brendan Flood was not aware of who Coyle was, but eventually contacted him and as they say the rest was history!

By general consensus now though anything that Nixon writes about Burnley is believed to be true in view of his connections with Coyle.

According to Nixon, Coyle would say yes to an emergency call from Scotland but if he did become boss, he would only consider a part-time role.

Nixon writes:

‘The Clarets’ boss has told pals he thinks a future generation of young Scots could be moulded into a good team. And as a manager he has made his name putting together sides who fight and beat the odds’

Even if the SFA did decide they wanted to relieve Burley of his duties and even if they did believe Owen Coyle was their ideal candidate would they really want a manager who was only prepared to consider the role on a part-time basis? If they did where would that leave Burnley and would Barry Kilby be happy to let Coyle dilute his value to the club by not putting 100% of his time, energy and effort (and more) to keeping the club in the Premier League?

Whatever happens there will now be some concern amongst Clarets fans until the Scotland job is finally sorted out. We should know at least this week where the SFA stand in relation to George Burley but if he is sacked it is going to be a worrying time for the Burnley fans.