While producing one of Scotland’s iconic players in Archie Gemmill, Paisley has also offered up a number of football managers working both north and south of the border.
Something about the town and the surrounding Renfrewshire area seems to mould these leaders, who have become familiar names in the British game over the years.
Coyle – A Well-Known Figure In Lancashire
Starting his managerial career with spells at Falkirk and St Johnstone, Paisley’s Owen Coyle was given his first opportunity in England at Burnley in 2007. Burnley current cop of players secured promotion back to the Premier League for this season and Coyle’s former side are 10/3 in the football betting odds to be relegated this term. The Clarets were impressive in the Championship last season and are 9/2 in the Premier League odds to secure a top-half finish on their return to the top flight. Coyle enjoyed his own promotion to the Premier League with Burnley in 2009 thanks to a playoff final victory over Sheffield United.
Coyle went on to manage three other teams in Lancashire, having spells at Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Scotland with Ross County. A two-time Premier League manager of the month winner, Coyle’s latest challenge has seen him take on the job at Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League. Far from his origins in Paisley, Coyle has made a name for himself across the UK and in the subcontinent.
Lambert Collects Impressive Accolades
A Scotland international and a Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund as a player, Paul Lambert also went on to show his abilities in the dugout. Starting his playing career at St Mirren, Lambert went on to play for the likes of Motherwell, Dortmund, Celtic and Livingston before taking managerial roles in England. Impressing at Norwich to help the Canaries win the League One title in 2010, he then helped them secure back-to-back promotions the following year. Lambert’s efforts at Carrow Road caught the eye of the hierarchy at Aston Villa and the Scot spent almost three years at the Premier League outfit. Last working with Ipswich before his departure in 2021, Lambert might well be considering his options before taking his next plunge into management.
Meanwhile, Paisley’s Derek McInnes currently finds himself in work with Premiership side Kilmarnock. Helping Killie secure promotion back to the top flight by beating Arbroath at Rugby Park to claim the Championship title, McInnes’ side made a positive start to life back in the Premiership this season. A 1-0 win over Rangers was the perfect opening day result for Kilmarnock on home soil and another Old Firm scalp for former Aberdeen boss McInnes. Paisley has produced other managers, with Robbie Neilson also among their ranks. The former Heart of Midlothian defender played 200 times before managing the Edinburgh outfit over two spells. His second stint with Hearts ended with a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren earlier this year.
Paisley has produced players that have gone on to have established managerial careers. The influence of the town and Renfrewshire has its own special place in a proud history of Scottish football managers which looks set to continue into the future.