BOLTON have finally confirmed the appointment of Owen Coyle as their new manager.

The former Wanderers striker has been on the verge of succeeding Gary Megson all week and was officially announced as the club’s new manager last night.

Coyle will take immediate charge of the team, although with today’s clash against Sunderland postponed, his first match will be the Premier League clash with Arsenal a week on Sunday.

Coyle said: ‘‘I’m absolutely delighted to be back at Bolton Wanderers.

‘‘I look forward to the opportunity of bringing the good times back to the club for everyone.’’ Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: ‘‘Owen was our number one target and we are naturally delighted that he has returned to the football club as manager.

‘‘He was an inspirational player who leads by example and a great motivator and, on behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers, I would like to say welcome home.’’ Coyle, who has reportedly signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, has a bedding-in period and the delay in confirming his appointment was largely due to Bolton’s ongoing negotiations in thrashing out a compensation deal with Coyle’s former club Burnley.

Caretaker boss Chris Evans had been preparing for today’s game before it was abandoned.

Earlier this week Scot Coyle made it clear to Burnley he wanted to make the move and reiterated his desire despite Burnley’s reluctance to lose him.

Coyle led Burnley into the top flight for the first time in 33 years after moving from St Johnstone in November 2007, but believes Bolton is a better option.

Burnley graciously thanked Coyle for his achievements after confirming that a compensation package had been agreed with Bolton.

‘‘The officials of Burnley Football Club would like to place on record their thanks to Owen for his services to the club and contribution to our success,’’ read a statement on the club’s website.

‘‘It’s been a long, drawn-out week,’’ Gartside admitted.

‘‘Owen was the only one on the list. I’d got a list of 30 names but the only one we wanted was Owen.

“We haven’t interviewed anyone, we haven’t contacted anyone. It was just Owen that we wanted.’’ Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander, meanwhile, would be happy to see caretaker manager Steve Davis given the job on a full-time basis.

Davis – one of Coyle’s coaching staff at Turf Moor – has been placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs and Alexander said: ‘‘It would be great if he was offered the job or was in the running for it because I’m sure he would do a fantastic job.

‘‘But I haven’t spoken to him personally about that sort of thing so I wouldn’t know if that is in the pipeline.’’ Hibernian boss John Hughes, who has been linked with the Clarets job, has already ruled himself out of the running.