Coyle excited by Bolton challenge

Owen Coyle was unveiled as Bolton manager on Monday and described moving to the Reebok Stadium from Burnley as an "unbelievable wrench" but also an "exciting challenge".

The former Wanderers striker was on the verge of succeeding Gary Megson all last week and was officially announced as the club's new manager on Friday evening. At his opening press conference as Bolton boss, the 43-year-old insisted he understood Clarets' fans disappointment at his decision to move on, but maintained his departure was inevitable at some point.

"We know in football there's two things which happen to football managers: you do well and you move on or you don't and you're moved on," said Coyle. "I think that's what's happened. It's very emotional, but it's such an exciting challenge here and that's what we have to look forward to."

Coyle's arrival was confirmed after protracted negotiations with the Clarets, who he led to promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship last season.

The decision to move on was not straightforward, Coyle insisted.

"It was difficult," he said. "The emotional attachment alone over the course of two years... but when all was said and done we tried to take the emotion out of it and make what we felt was a football decision.

"I understand totally the sense of hurt and disappointment the Burnley fans would feel.

"It's a natural reaction and I think it can't be lost on anybody what we did do over two years.

"When I came into the football club we were in the bottom half of the Championship.

"We pulled it all together and that's probably why I'm here. The job we did do catches other peoples' eye."