Burnley have named former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws as their new manager. The ex-Clarets defender takes over at Turf Moor from Owen Coyle, who left the club for Barclays Premier League rivals Bolton last week.
The appointment represents a remarkable transformation of fortunes for the 48-year-old, who was sacked by Championship strugglers Wednesday just last month.
He has been preferred to former Republic of Ireland international Sean O'Driscoll, who will remain with Doncaster Rovers after Burnley decided not to go down the road of paying in the region of €1 million compensation.
Earlier today, a Doncaster club statement read: "Sean O'Driscoll is to remain at the Keepmoat Stadium. Doncaster Rovers can confirm that enquiries were made by a Premier League club; however these enquiries are now at an end."
The 48-year-old Laws has previously managed Grimsby and Scunthorpe. He played for Burnley in 1979 and was also at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.
He will be joined at Turf Moor by his former Wednesday assistant Russ Wilcox.
Veteran captain Graham Alexander, 38, has also been handed a new role as a player-coach.
The new coaching team is set to be unveiled at a press conference at the ground this afternoon.
A club statement read: “We believe Brian will deliver a continuity of the culture to which Burnley fans and staff have become accustomed. As a former Burnley defender, he is especially familiar with the club, the traditions we have and the passion we all share.”
Laws's task will be to make sure the Clarets’ first Premier League campaign does not end in relegation. They are currently just two points above the bottom three.