OWEN Coyle has cited the example of Stan Ternent’s departure from Turf Moor as a reason why he had to join Bolton Wanderers rather than risking his time at Burnley turning sour.

Coyle’s Bolton side face the Clarets in the Premier League tonight - just three weeks after the Scot angered many Burnley fans by moving to the Reebok – and a conversation with Ternent played a part in his decision to leave the Turf.

Coyle had guided Burnley from the bottom half of the Championship to 14th in the Premier League but was wary that a change in results could put his job under pressure in the years to come, as had happened to current Clarets boss Brian Laws at Sheffield Wednesday and Alan Irvine at Preston.

Ternent earned promotion to England’s second tier during his time at Burnley and then twice finished seventh in the First Division, but his contract was not renewed after the Clarets finished 16th and then 19th.

“You either do well and move on, or you don’t and you’re moved on,” said Coyle.

“And sometimes even when you do well you’re moved on. That’s got to be taken into account.

“Brian did a very good job at Sheffield Wednesday and I think he’ll accept they had an indifferent time this year, but he lost his job on the back of that.

“You only need to look at Alan Irvine and guys like that, and that’s what it’s like in football management.

“Even regarding Burnley Football Club, they have a great history of staying with their managers but Stan Ternent did an unbelievable job for them and came very close to the play-offs twice.

“But then I think his contract was running out and it was never renewed.

“Stan phoned me and I get on really well with him. I think there are times as managers that you have to accept that I think the average time for a manager in the Championship is about 14 or 15 months.

"I don’t think the Premier League will be too much more than that.”