Coyle backed for Seasiders post

Owen Coyle: Heading for the seaside?

Owen Coyle has emerged as the bookmakers' new favourite to fill the vacant managerial position at Blackpool following significant backing.

Sky Bet have reported a surge of interest in the former Bolton boss taking the job since Thursday morning, prompting his price to come in from 10/1 to 1/2.

Paul Dickov, who recently quit his job at Oldham, and Simon Grayson, who began his managerial career at Bloomfield Road, have both been backed for the job but have now both drifted out to 10/1.

Steve Thompson is set to take charge of Pool for the sixth consecutive match since Michael Appleton's departure this weekend, and the caretaker boss is considered the 6/1 second favourite for the permanent post.

Billy Davies had been the heavy favourite and held talks with chairman Karl Oyston, before opting to become the new Nottingham Forest manager instead.

Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer said: "We've seen sustained support for Coyle to get the job with punters backing him consistently despite the price being cut considerably.

"The Seasiders have just one win under Thompson and Oyston's recent comments suggest they'll be looking elsewhere following the failed talks with Davies.

"It seems very unlikely that they'll pursue somebody currently in a job due to their financial constraints, so Coyle looks the ideal contender."