Chennaiyin FC looks to Owen Coyle and Sandy Stewart to make a turnaround in the current ongoing Indian Super League
Head Coach – Owen Coyle
Chennaiyin FC had signed up Scotsman Owen Coyle as its head coach after parting ways with Gregory. The former English Premier League manager with Burnley and Bolton Wanderers will be on a contract till the end of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2019-20 season.
“I am incredibly proud to join Chennaiyin FC as head coach. It will be my immense privilege to join a club with so much success already in its early history with two ISL titles. I believe we possess a squad with great potential and the hunger to do well, complimented by an ardent fan base always backing us. I can’t wait to get started,” said Coyle
In November, Chennaiyin had sacked its head coach John Gregory following a poor run in the ongoing season of the ISL
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| ATK | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Jamshedpur Football Club | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| NorthEast United FC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| FC Goa | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| Mumbai City FC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Odisha FC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Kerala Blasters FC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Chennaiyin FC | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Hyderabad FC | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
Assistant Coach – Sandy Stewart
Sandy Stewart has been roped in as the assistant of Chennaiyin FC’s new head coach Owen Coyle. Stewart has been Coyle’s assistant at all his clubs since 2007.
Stewart prior to his arrival in India, said, “Hopefully we can bring some of our experience to the players and team, and help the club achieve success again. Owen and I love a challenge, and it will be exactly that with Chennaiyin in a competitive league like the ISL. “Sandy (Stewart) is an astute tactical mind with a genuine love for the game.” Coyle said,” said Coyle.
The 55-year-old Stewart began his playing career in Scotland in 1987 with brief spells at Hearts and Kilmarnock before moving to Airdrieonians in the second-tier two years later. He went on to become a vital member of the squad, helping them qualify to the Scottish top-flight in 1991. Stewart won the Scottish Challenge Cup twice and finished runner-up in the Scottish Cup as many times in over 300 appearances for Airdrieonians over two spells at the club.
| Team | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| ATK FC | 0 – 1 | |
| Odisha FC | 2 – 2 | |
| FC Goa | 0 – 3 | |
| Hyderabad FC | 2 – 1 | |
| Kerala Blasters FC | ||
| Mumbai City FC | 0 – 0 | |
| NorthEast United FC | ||
| Jamshedpur FC | ||
| Bengaluru FC | 0 – 3 |
Stewart’s managerial career began as player-manager of Airdrie United (formerly his former club Airdrieonians), where Coyle also came on board in the role of player-coach. During his time there, Stewart led Airdrie to top-flight promotion and a Scottish Challenge Cup final.
From there on, Stewart has been assistant to Coyle at St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League followed by Burnley and Bolton Wanderers in England; winning promotion to the Premier League with Burnley in 2008-09 through the play-offs.
This article was originally published in Sportstar.com