Coyle: O'Neill is perfect role model

The 43-year-old Clarets boss holds the Northern Irishman in the highest regard and believes all young managers should endeavour to follow in the footsteps of the former Nottingham Forest winger.In some aspects the pair's careers have marked contrasts, while in others there are some similarities.O'Neill won the European Cup with Forest and played 64 times for his country.Coyle, with a solitary Republic of Ireland friendly appearance to his name, played for the likes of Dumbarton, Clydebank and BoltonHowever, when it comes to management Coyle - whose previous jobs were at Falkirk and St Johnstone - is following a path and approach O'Neill took when he first accepted the coaching job at Wycombe before eventually progressing to Leicester, Celtic and now Villa."Martin O'Neill is the perfect role model. He wasn't gifted a top job, even given he was a top player who won the European Cup," said Coyle."He has worked his socks off at the coal face going from Wycombe to Leicester and everything he has got he has earned - no-one has handed him anything."That is the type of manager I am very respectful of. He is a tremendous role model for all us young managers trying to make our way in the game."Coyle, who celebrates his second year in charge at Burnley this weekend, is doing a decent job of making his way in the game with the Clarets.The Scot took over on November 22 2007 with the Clarets 13th in the Championship and inside 18 months guided them into the top-flight - via the play-offs - for the first time in 33 years.They are currently exceeding expectations sitting 10th in the Premier League but Coyle is realistic to know the hard work is far from over.Less than 12 months ago Hull were doing even better in their maiden top-flight campaign but struggled desperately in the second half of the season and escaped relegation by only one point.It is a situation Coyle is determined to avoid."I think it has certainly flown. I have loved every minute of it and it has been a fantastic journey," he said. "But we have to continue that and make sure the next two years are as eventful."I'm not being smart or clever but it has not surprised me. I believe we had the potential to bring it together."We have brought young, exciting players to the club and mixed them with some of the players we inherited - who we have got playing to a higher and more consistent level than they were."It is an onward process, a work in progress, and we have to keep bringing it all on."Coyle continued: "We have had some highs and lows along the way but we have to make sure there are more highs in the coming years."Winning the play-off final at Wembley was the high point, because that is what brought us here."The low point was the Carling Cup semi-final and how cruel it ended for us (Tottenham scored twice in the last two minutes of second-leg extra time to win 6-4 on aggregate last season)."Having signed off before the international break on a high thanks to a late 3-3 draw at Manchester City, Coyle is keen for his side to rise to the occasion at home."For me Aston Villa are making a real concerted effort to push into that top four," he added. "You only have to look at the squad they have to know it is undoubted quality."They are packed with pace and power and it will be a tough game."We have to be at our best, if we are we can win games."

Source: Team_Talk