Coppell on the Bristol City shortlist
Steve Coppell is to be interviewed for the vacant Bristol City manager's job.
The former Manchester United and England star has been out of the game since quitting as Reading boss 11 months ago.
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But he is now ready to go back into management and has applied for the Ashton Gate position vacated last month by Gary Johnson, who parted company with the Robins by mutual consent.
Coppell, who has also managed Crystal Palace, Brentford, Brighton and Manchester City, is on a shortlist of candidates being interviewed by City chairman Steve Lansdown.
City caretaker boss Keith Millen has been told he will be involved in any new management structure, and Lansdown must decide whether to appoint the Londoner first-team boss and bring in a director of football to work alongside him, or recruit a new manager and ask Millen to be his assistant.
City's intention is to unveil a new boss prior to the final home game of the season against Derby on Saturday week, and Coppell could be that man.
Having spoken to the 54-year-old on an informal basis already, Lansdown now plans to hold talks with the man who led Reading to the Championship title in 2006.
Although he will face stiff competition from other candidates, Coppell remains the bookmakers' short-priced favourite and some companies have stopped taking bets on him.
City's requirement is for an experienced manager or director of football with extensive contacts and a proven track record in English football's second tier.
Coppell ticks all the relevant boxes. As well as his success at Reading, he twice led Palace to promotion to the top flight.
He was the youngest person to manage a Football League club, when he took over at Palace in 1984 aged 28, and he had experience of being a director of football, when he worked alongside Ray Lewington and Peter Nicholas at Palace in the mid-1990s.
Coppell also commands the respect of his peers, having twice been voted League Managers Association manager of the year in 2006 and 2007.
Although he guided Palace to the 1990 FA Cup final – the Eagles lost 1-0 to Manchester United in a replay at Wembley – Coppell's finest achievement was, arguably, leading Reading into the Premier League and keeping them there for two seasons.
Under his stewardship, the Royals claimed a record points tally of 106 to land the Championship title in 2006, after which Coppell helped the club to an eighth-placed finish in their first season in the top flight.
But Reading were relegated 12 months later and Coppell resigned following defeat to Burnley in last year's Championship play-off semi- final.
At the time, Coppell said he needed a break from the rigours of football management, but stated his intention to return to work in the future.
11 Comments
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by Ashton Gately, BS3
Thursday, April 15 2010, 10:52AM
“This calibre of appointment just serves to demonstrate the massive gulf between the Championship and League 1.
The sags must be feeling awful.”
by Kevin, Yatton
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 10:56PM
“Why has director of football not worked for the Gas? Since Laurence was appointed with Trolls we've won promotion and have improved every season”
by Jamie, Olde City
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 10:13PM
“From the moment it was clear that Gary Johnson`s time was coming to an end most city fans I spoke to wanted Steve Coppell as Manager.
I think Kieth Millen will be a very happy man to have such a Legend at the helm with him as second in command. But also Steve Coppell could see his assistant as the perfect man to stand alongside him as we all prepare for good times again at Ashton gate.
What a perfect way to begin the summer break. Football is definitely back on the agenda in Bristol get your season tickets before they sell out!!
But please get Ribeiro on a secured contract though, he is going to be a massive for us next time out.
ALWAYS BELIEVE IN THE RED ARMY”
by Micky Hope, Weston
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 4:41PM
“Coppell for manager, not director of football.
The gas have a DOF and most of them don't have a great deal of time for him or the job he does. It's not worked in England.”
by david, henbury
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 12:42PM
“Make him the Manager SL these Director's of football never work.Peterborough may have problems with it with four Manager's this year,and it hasn't worked with the Pirates.Coppell as the Manager great.”
by Paul, Whitchurch
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 11:24AM
“Keith Millen has done a tremendous job and deserves a pat on the back for dragging us away from the relegation zone; though he has benefited from dead-cat-bounce.
Steve Coppell is a manager with a proven track record at this level of unearthing genuine talent for a pittance (think Kevin Doyle, the Hunt brothers), and bringing in quality signings. His teams play good attacking football.
I would be thrilled if a deal can be done, and Steve takes the reins as our new manager.”
by steed malbrongue, sunderland
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 11:05AM
“id rather the club brought in coppell than a director of football but anyway kieth is doing ok by himself? 6pts off the play offs when we were 6 pts of relegation 7 games ago come on! play offs is a big ask but anything is possible in football who knows. its unlikley though for middlesbrough and cardiff ect to drop all the points needed for us so if we were to get coppell in i think we will be top 4 next season! and pushing all the way for promotion giving him the time over the summer to buy quality players for the club! maybe get lita back to partner maynard? come on u reds”
by Chris, Bristol
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 10:01AM
“He should be the perfect candidate, he is certainly a name that most fans will want to see.I hope he gets it, maybe this is a leak from the club as the new man is due to be announced after the Scunny game on Saturday. Exciting times!”
by clare, bristol
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 9:57AM
“Great News we need someone who has been at this level for a number of years - but big thanks to KM for doing a brilliant job in the mean time”
by Glenn, Backwell
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 8:55AM
“I appreciate that there is still a long way to go in the process, but it is great to hear Steve Coppell has applied for the job.
Fingers crossed he is unveiled as our new manager over the weekend. That would be our best signing in many years.”