Source: Daily_Mail
Coyle must forget Hoddle, Francis and Souness before going 'home' to Bolton
The imminent arrival of Owen Coyle has Bolton fans dreaming again. Here is a manager who would tick all the popularity boxes at the Reebok - former player in a fondly-remembered Trotters side, still talks fondly of the club, has his team playing good football - but will it work? [LNB]Plenty of former players have gone back to manage clubs, and when it works it is brilliant. But not all of them are successes. Some even leave with their hard-earned reputations as players in tatters. Sportsmail has a look at how some of those who went back fared... [LNB]SUCCESSES Sam Allardyce (Bolton)An uncompromising centre half in the 1970s for Wanderers, 'Big Sam' had been doing well at Notts County before returning 'home'. [LNB]He took over in 1999 and suffered play-off semi-final defeats in his first two seasons, before promotion in 2001. Then the fun really started, as he took Bolton to unprecedented heights laden with UEFA Cup adventures and Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff et al.[LNB] All round favourite: Big Sam was popular as both player and manager at Bolton [LNB]Joe Royle (Everton)The blue half of Liverpool were deep in the relegation mire in late 1994 under Mike Walker, and were in desperate need of a hero. In came Royle, whose first act was to win a Merseyside derby. [LNB]His signing of Duncan Ferguson was inspired, and his reward at the end of the season was safety and an FA Cup win in 1995 that remains Everton's last trophy.[LNB] Time to celebrate: Joe Royle has just won the FA Cup[LNB] [LNB] Getting stuck in: Everton fans loved Joe Royle's no-nonsense style as centre forward[LNB]George Graham (Arsenal)The more recent achievements of Arsene Wenger have made some forget just what a good job Graham did at Arsenal. When he joined in 1986, the Gunners had not won the league for 15 years - when he had starred in the Double-winning team. [LNB]By the time he was sacked in 1995 for accepting bungs, they had won the title twice, the League Cup twice, The FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup.[LNB] A stroller in the park for George: On the attack against Burnley and with the 1989 Championship trophy - after THAT win against Liverpool at Anfield[LNB] [LNB] FAILURESTrevor Francis (Birmingham)Made his Blues debut at the age of 16, and many would say he was the best player ever to wear the club's shirt before his famous £1million move to Nottingham Forest, where his goal won the 1979 European Cup. [LNB]Became Birmingham boss in 1996, and although he led them to the 2001 Worthington Cup final and the play-off semi-finals that year, his time in charge was not deemed a success. [LNB] Mixed results: Trevor Francis enjoyed more lows than highs as manager of Birmingham where he scored well over 100 goals in a blue shirt[LNB]Alan Shearer (Newcastle)A judgement over eight games might seem a bit harsh, but then this is the man who was going to lead Newcastle to safety because, well, he was Alan Shearer. [LNB]Won just four points in those eight games (three were in one game against Middlesbrough, who were also relegated) and his tactics were best summed up in four letters by Joey Barton.[LNB] Did I do right? Alan Shearer wants his beloved Newcastle fall through the relegation trapdoor after enjoying cult status as a player at the club[LNB]Graeme Souness (Liverpool)One of the best midfielders ever to pull on the red shirt, but as a manager he is credited with starting the Liverpool decline. [LNB]Had won lots in Scotland as manager of Rangers (for what that's worth), but had only the 1992 FA Cup and a lot of dubious signings (Torben Piechnik, anyone?) to show for his managerial spell at Anfield.[LNB] One good day: Graeme Souness with the 1992 FA Cup[LNB] [LNB] Legend on the pitch: But Graeme Souness struggled as manager of Liverpool[LNB]Bryan Gunn (Norwich)This cautionary tale could also be titled 'Don't be swayed by club legend's daughter starting a 'Make my dad manager' group on Facebook'. Gunn was the fans' choice but had very little managerial experience, and could not save Norwich from relegation to League One. His reign was ended this season after just one league game - mind you, that was a 7-1 home defeat by Colchester![LNB] Gunn fired: Norwich boss Bryan Gunn (far right)was shown the door after a 7-1 home defeat by Colchester taht left Carrow Road fans fuming[LNB] [LNB] Way back when: Bryan Gunn celebrates a Norwich goal when he was in the Premier League[LNB] Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham) If there was ever an embodiment of 'the Spurs way' of playing football, Hoddle the player was it. After managing Swindon, Chelsea, England and Southampton he pitched up at White hart Lane to a hero's welcome. [LNB]Results and style of football were not what the Tottenham fans expected from a side managed by 'God', and his reign ended ignominiously after a 3-0 home defeat by Southampton.[LNB] Fallen idol: Glenn Hoddle drills in a trademark goal during his playing days before watching his beloved Spurs lose 3-0 to Southampton in his last match as boss[LNB]Gary McAllister (Leeds) Became an Elland Road legend in six years at the club, and won a League title with them in 1992. Netted almost 50 goals in around 300 appearances from midfield and was captain for two seasons until he left for Coventry in 1996.[LNB]Fast forward to 2008, Leeds (again) in turmoil after manager Dennis Wise's departure to Newcastle. Reached the play-offs that season but lost to Yorkshire rivals Doncaster in the final before joining the dole queue in December 2008 with his side in apparent freefall (again) following an FA Cup defeat at non-League Histon.[LNB] Keepy up appearances: But Gary Mac the Leeds manager failed to emulate Gary Mac the Leeds player...[LNB] Owen Coyle delays decision on Burnley exit as Bolton prepare to name Gary Megson's successor Man United No 2 Phelan in the Burnley Turf war to replace Bolton-bound CoyleBlackburn boss Allardyce aiming to bury the past in Carling Cup semi-finalMcAllister is axed by Leeds United after poor run of resultsAs McAllister joins Ince at the job centre, Sportsmail present our guide to managers who only lasted 10 minutes - literallyBOLTON WANDERERS FC
