EX-WANDERERS boss Owen Coyle is close to being named as the new head coach of MLS side Houston Dynamo.

The Scot, out of work for a year since being sacked at Wigan Athletic, is odds-on favourite to succeed long-serving coach Dominic Kinnear, who recently moved to San Jose Earthquakes.

Sources in the US suggest he could be confirmed as only the second coach in the club’s history by Sunday after holding several rounds of talks with Dynamo president Chris Canetti.

Coyle is extremely familiar with life in the States, and a known admirer of MLS football, having taken his Bolton side across the Atlantic for successive pre-seasons during his time in charge.

Red Bull New York assistant Robin Fraser is the other main name being mentioned with the post – but Coyle’s appearance as a recent Academy game has led to speculation the 48-year-old is primed to take over in the next few days.

Coyle admitted the prospect of managing abroad had crossed his mind in a recent interview.

“I’ve had offers from both home and abroad so that’s not something I’d rule out,” he said. “When you leave Scotland, you go abroad to go to England! The bottom line is we all move as players, and will do so as coaches and managers as well. We know how the game works.

“That’s not something that I would worry about if it was the right opportunity. In essence, the game’s the same game, you just have different levels. The principles, the things you bring to training, and produce in terms of putting a team together are all the same.”

Coyle dealt with Dynamo after signing Stuart Holden in December 2010 and should he get the job, rumours may well be thrown up about a reunion with the midfielder.

Holden recently held positive talks with Neil Lennon over his rehabilitation efforts and has been told the “door is open” once he feels fit enough to resume his playing career after a knee operation.