WANDERERS chairman Phil Gartside believes Owen Coyle can be the new Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Bolton manager has been linked with the vacant Aston Villa job this week but Gartside insists his future is at the Reebok.

The Wanderers chief feels Coyle has many of the same attributes as the Manchester United boss.

And Gartside is convinced he can build an empire at Wanderers like his fellow Scot has done at Old Trafford.

“Man-management wise he’s got all the abilities and coaching-wise he’s got all the tactical knowledge,” said Gartside. “He lives, breathes and eats football.

“He’s hungry to do well and has the time to go where he wants. I think he can be as good as anything in this country or in the Premier League.

“He’s got that ability to be an all-round manager, he’s not just a coach. He's got management qualities.

“I can see his hands-on approach to management is what makes him successful. It's every little detail.

“They all make comparisons between him and Ferguson and he's still there on the training pitch at 70-years-old “He's 44-years-old, which gives him 26 years on Alex Ferguson.

“I'm not sure Owen will work until he's 70 but he’s definitely fit enough and still plays football every day.

“You'll never get Owen sitting behind a desk. He wants to be involved every single day. He wants to put him arm round players and talk to them.”

And, like Fergie, Coyle is driven on by an incredible will to win.

He said: “Owen plays table tennis every day not just for the fun of it. It's to involve the lads in something that gives them the winning mentality.

“As soon as they walk through the doors at training the banter is about winning. 'Did you beat me yesterday?’, 'What was the score again?'. It doesn't matter whether it's darts or head tennis or five-a-side, everything he does is competitive.”

just a coach. He’s got management qualities. I can see his hands-on approach to management is what makes him successful. Its every little detail.

“They all make comparisons between him and Ferguson and he’s still there on the training pitch at 70-years-old. He’s 44-years-old, which gives him 26 years on Alex Ferguson.

“I’m not sure Owen will work until he’s 70 but he’s definitely fit enough and still plays football every day.

“You’ll never get Owen sitting behind a desk.”

And, like Fergie, Coyle is driven on by an incredible will to win.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s darts or head tennis or five-a-side, everything he does is competitive,” Gartside added.