LONDON, January 11 – First-team coach Steve Davis and goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes have left Burnley the club said Sunday and are now set to rejoin former manager Owen Coyle at Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers.Former Wanderers striker Coyle was appointed as Bolton’s new manager on Friday, in succession to Gary Megson, and Burnley expect Davis and Hughes to make the short journey to join him at their fellow north-west side.
"Burnley Football Club can today confirm that first-team coach Steve Davis and goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes have left Turf Moor," said a statement on the Clarets’ official website on Sunday.
"Both coaches are understood to be joining Owen Coyle’s new management team at Bolton Wanderers.
"The officials of Burnley Football Club would like to place on record their thanks to Steve and Phil for their services to the club and contribution to our success."
Coyle led Burnley into the top flight for the first time in 33 years after moving from St Johnstone in November 2007.
But although the Clarets are 14th in the table, two points above Lancashire rivals Wanderers, who are currently in the relegation zone, Coyle appears to believe that Bolton, an established Premier League club, have the better chance of staying in the top flight.
With Saturday’s match against Sunderland one of several postponed by freezing conditions, Coyle’s first game as Bolton boss will be against Arsenal a week on Sunday.