In what has to be seen as a shocking development for both the Houston Dynamo and Major League Soccer, former Premier League manager Owen Coyle is now set to become the Dynamo’s new manager.

Coyle will become the club’s second ever manager, following the resignation of Dominic Kinnear at the conclusion of this season. For fans of the Dynamo, the hiring of a former Premier League manager for such a club has to be seen as a coup. The club does have a successful history — winning the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007 gave them early achievement and brought hopes of becoming a top power.

The side has only missed the MLS Cup playoffs twice in their history, including this past season. Finishing runner-up twice in 2011 and 2012 provided the club with its most recent accomplishments. However, the past season proved to be the worst in team history, as they finished eighth in the Eastern Conference, with only eleven wins.

Bringing in the former Burnley, Bolton and Wigan manager shows the strides both Major League Soccer and the club have made in recent years. For those who don’t know of Coyle, the man brought Burnley back to the Premier League for the first time in 33 years, back in 2009. Following a brief spell with Wigan last season, Coyle was out of work for over a year before being hired by Houston.

However, rebuilding the club will not be an easy task, no matter who the manager is. Relying on the experience and ability of both United States international DaMarcus Beasley and Brad Davis will be key in the club’s rebuilding process. Age could be another issue for Houston with most of their stars being in their thirties. Bringing a youthful crop of players will be crucial in turning the Dynamo around .

A signing of this caliber — whether it be player, manager or owner — is a major step forward for the club and Major League Soccer in general. Coyle brings with him connections from the top of world soccer, lessons he has learned from managing in the world’s best league, and the willingness to help grow the game in the United States.

All of these are qualities that are needed to help grow Major League Soccer into a world best. If other clubs can follow suit and continue to attract top names in the world of soccer there will be no reason why MLS cannot one day become of the world’s best leagues.

Growing the game has become the league’s catchphrase. With the hiring of Owen Coyle, the Houston Dynamo have done their part in bringing global awareness to the league as a whole.