Found this on the football rumour page before it was announced
18 Oct 2011 11:03:28
OWEN COYLE last night backed Derek McInnes as the perfect man to transform Bristol City's fortunes.
The St Johnstone boss was interviewed yesterday by the Championship's bottom club and is in a two-way fight with Mark Robins for the job.
Bolton manager Coyle, who made his name at McDiarmid Park before leaving for Burnley, insists his close pal would thrive at Ashton Gate and reckons they could soon be locking horns in the Premiership.
With a £30million new stadium in the pipeline at a club with huge potential Coyle believes Bristol City and McInnes are made for each other.
He said: "Bristol are a massive club. The catchment area is vast and they have enormous potential. Okay they're not in a good place right now but addressing that will be the new manager's priority.
"But everything is in place for them to go on to become a Premiership club. They have plans for a new stadium next season and it is a marvellous opportunity for whoever they go for.
"The job is perfect for a young and ambitious manager and if they opt for Derek they will be getting a man I know well, having taken him to Perth as player-coach.
"His work ethic is immense and he is a real players' manager.
"Heading to England would be the natural progression for Derek and Bristol would be getting a great boss.
"Look at the work he has done at Perth. He has shown an eye for a player at St Johnstone and it's no surprise Bristol are considering him for the job. He would take the club forward."
McInnes, who was granted permission by chairman Geoff Brown to speak to the Robins, plans to return north for a closed-doors game today as he awaits news from down south.
One City player who'd love to see him on board is ex-Aberdeen and Hearts star Jamie McAllister.
The full-back reckons McInnes can lead the Championship strugglers up to the top flight and said: "This would be a great move for Derek and a fantastic appointment by the club.
"I spoke to Paul Hartley and Allan Preston about McInnes and they could not speak of him highly enough.
"Bristol City are a massive club with huge potential and I would love the chance to work with him.
"We reached the play-offs in 2008 but lost to Hull. With McInnes at the helm we could hopefully go one better and reach the Premier League."
