By FRANCO PANIZO
The English Championship has not even reached the two-month mark yet, but already we have the first coaching casualty of the season.
Bolton Wanderers fired manager Owen Coyle on Tuesday morning after a nightmare start to their season in the Championship. Bolton, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, are currently in 18th place in the 24-team league with a 3-5-2 record that has seen them concede 16 goals. Coyle had been in charge of Bolton since January 2010, but the painful start to the campaign that has hindered the club's chances of gaining promotion has ended his time there.
Coyle's dismissal will have direct implications for two Americans plying their trades with the Trotters. Coyle brought in both centerback Tim Ream and midfielder Stuart Holden, and what their roles will be with the team going forward will depend largely on who replaces Coyle. Ream has been on the bench recently after a poor start to the season while Holden is still recovering from his knee injury.
Here are more stories from around the soccer world:
BALLACK AIMING TO GET COACHING LICENSE
It appears Michael Ballack might not stay out of the game for long. Having retired from playing professionally last week, the 36-year-old former German international said his immediate goal is to obtain a coaching license. Ballack, however, is uncertain if he wants to pursue a career in coaching, saying right now he wants to spend his newfound free time with his family. Ballack also cited a lack of motivation as to why he retired.
MOYES WINS MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Everton may have gone 2-1-1 in league play last month, but that was enough for manager David Moyes to receive a serious accolade. Moyes was named the Premiership's Manager of the Month for September after helping guide Everton to wins over Southampton and Swansea City and a draw against Newcastle United. September began with a loss to West Bromwich Albion, but since then the Toffees have not lost and currently in fourth place in the Premiership.
RONALDO CLEARED TO PLAY FOR PORTUGAL
Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the green light to play for Portugal despite a shoulder injury and he should take part in the nation's World Cup qualifier in Russia on Friday. Ronaldo has suffered the knock to his left shoulder during his two-goal performance in Real Madrid's 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Sunday, but Portugal's medical staff has deemed the injury to be minor. Portugal also takes on Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier next week.
COLE APOLOGY ACCEPTED
Ashley Cole could have faced some serious discipline for his recent Twitter slam of the English FA, but his apology for his inappropriate tweet has helped him avoid any major sanctioning.
FA chairman David Bernstein announced on Tuesday that Cole would face no ban for his vulgar tweetaimed at the FA following findings in the investigation into John Terry's alleged racist abuse of Anton Ferdinand. The findings essentially brought into question the validity and truthfulness of Cole's testimony, which led him to fire off a vulgar tweet that made waves around the world.
Cole still faces the likelihood of a fine, but will be free to play in England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers vs. San Marino and Poland.
NEWCASTLE RESTORES STADIUM NAME
Newcastle will have the name of their storied home stadium, St. James Park, restored after completing a sponsorship deal with Wonga, a loan company looking to get in the good graces of Newcastle fans.
The stadium had seen its name changed to Sports Direct Arena, after the company of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, but that name change never stuck with Newcastle fans who continued to call the team's home St. James Park.
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What do you think of Coyle being shown the door at Bolton? Think Ballack would make for a good coach? Agree that Moyes was the best Premiership manager in September?
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