Nearly a week after Burnley's chief executive, Lee Hoos, ruled out a return to Turf Moor, Owen Coyle has been reinstated as the frontrunner for the vacancy after bookmakers' slashed his odds on Thursday. Coyle is now the narrow favourite to replace Eddie Howe, with Mick McCarthy and Michael Appleton in hot pursuit in the Next Burnley Manager Betting market. The Burnley board are currently holding talks with a variety of managers and are believed to be keen to make an appointment before their match away to Cardiff on October 27th.
After days of speculation Eddie Howe left the Clarets a week ago today (Friday) to return to former club AFC Bournemouth, who play their football in League One. Coyle was immediately installed as the favourite for the job but Hoos was quick to rule out the Scot’s chances, with the bookies’ reacting by lengthening his odds. However, Coyle is now back in the running and there is every chance he could now make a dramatic return to his old stomping ground.
Mick McCarthy, who is also being linked with Blackburn Rovers and Bolton, is right up there in the betting and the Yorkshireman represents an attractive target having previously led both Sunderland and Wolves up to the top flight. Meanwhile Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton has been a major contender since the start. The 36-year-old is a talented up-and-coming manager and, despite losing nearly his whole squad in the summer, he has inspired Pompey to creditable start to the season. Paul Ince and Micky Mellon are also rumoured to be in the mix.
Burnley's caretaker manager Terry Pashley will take charge of his first game on Saturday at home to Blackpool. Goals are on the cards tomorrow evening, with Burnley’s last three games featuring an incredible 17 goals. Paddy Power have installed Blackpool as the narrow 7/5 favourites, while the Clarets are available at 7/4 to win their first match in a month.
