* Laws signs 2-1/2 year contract at Burnley
* Midfielder Alexander named player/coach
* Away games at Man United and Bolton loom
(Adds Laws quotes, background)
By Alan Baldwin
LONDON, Jan 13 - Premier League Burnley named
Brian Laws as manager on a 2-1/2 year contract on Wednesday
after the departure of Owen Coyle to rivals Bolton Wanderers.
Laws, a former Burnley defender, managed Championship
(second division) side Sheffield Wednesday before being axed in
December.
He faces a baptism of fire, with Burnley playing champions
Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on
Saturday with a visit to Bolton looming on Jan. 26.
Laws, presented to the media at a news conference at Turf
Moor on Wednesday, said he would do everything he could to bring
success and was fully aware he had to operate on a limited
budget that is much smaller than many of their rivals.
"We all know that Burnley are not going to be matching a lot
of the teams in the Premiership, the likes of Manchester United,
we know that," he said.
"But what we will have is prudence and we will make sure we
do our work diligently. We'll get players in at the right price
and the right time and hopefully (that will) keep us in the
Premiership.
"That's the most important thing and we believe we will do
that."
Burnley made a bright start to their first season in the top
flight since 1976 but have gone nine league matches without a
win and have slipped to 14th in the table -- just two points
above the relegation zone.
Burnley chairman Barry Kilby added the 48-year-old Laws had
always been their first choice to fill the vacancy and praised
his ability to get results on a tight budget.
"He stands out, he works very well and understands the ethos
of this club. Being an ex-player he has an affection for us as
well. Being the size we are we have to work within our budget,
so its an exact fit."
Kilby said the board were particularly impressed by the way
Laws consistently achieved relative success in his former post
at Sheffield Wednesday, while operating with one of the lowest
wage and transfer budgets in the Championship.
The club said on its website (www.burnleyfootballclub.com):
"The results of a Deloitte and Touche study, delivered at
the club's request, confirm that he was top of the list of
Championship managers over the period 2006-2009, in terms of
delivering the best results relative to financial budgets."
Russ Wilcox, 45, who worked with Laws as assistant manager
at Scunthorpe United and Sheffield Wednesday will continue as
his assistant.
First team midfielder Graham Alexander, at 38 the oldest
outfield player in the Premier League, has been appointed
player/coach.
Burnley said Laws' arrival would enable the club to build
on the foundations laid by Coyle in taking them back to the top
flight.
(Additional reporting by Mike Collett, Editing by Ken
Ferris; To query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)