FORMER Wanderers boss Owen Coyle has left his position as head coach of MLS side Houston Dynamo.

Coyle tendered his resignation to club president Chris Canetti on Wednesday, citing a desire to return to his family in Lancashire.

“I asked Chris if I could speak with him and I explained to him the challenge of being away from my family and how we all want the best for Houston Dynamo,” he told the Dynamo official website.

Coyle’s wife and children did not move over to Houston when he became coach in December 2014, remaining in the North West.

Canetti said the timing of the Scot’s departure did come as a surprise.

“I didn't wake up this morning expecting that I'd be dealing with a coaching change today,” he said. “It’s really a shame that things didn't work out better. He poured his heart and soul into this thing. He knows what he's doing. We’ll never be able to pinpoint why it didn’t work.”

Coyle guided Dynamo to eighth position in his first season, falling short of the play-offs, but had won just three of 12 games this term.

Sandy Stewart, who was Coyle’s assistant in his time with the Whites, has also returned to the UK.