STEVE Coppell and Keith Millen will be charged with the task of masterminding Bristol City's bid for Premier League status.

Former Manchester United and England star Coppell will next week be appointed as successor to Gary Johnson, who departed Ashton Gate by mutual consent last month.

Johnson's loyal assistant for the past four-and-a-half years, Millen has been told by City chairman Steve Lansdown he definitely has a role to play in any new management structure.

Although their future titles are as yet unknown, Coppell and Millen will work side by side, either as director of football and first-team coach or in a more conventional manager/assistant partnership.

Placed in temporary charge following Johnson's exit, Millen has inspired a six-match unbeaten run which has put City in with an outside chance of making the play-offs.

And Millen's tenure as caretaker manager could even be extended if City beat Scunthorpe today and play-off rivals Swansea, Blackpool and Middlesbrough fail to win.

Coppell is widely expected to take over for the final two games of the season, at home to Derby County next Saturday and at Blackpool on Sunday, May 2. But a very different scenario could unfold if City are still in play-off contention after this weekend.

In that instance, Millen is likely to be asked to extend his caretaker brief beyond today's game in the interests of continuity, while Coppell takes a back seat and assesses the squad ahead of next season.

Coppell's appointment is sure to be welcomed by City fans. Twice named the League Managers Association manager of the year, the 54-year-old boasts a hugeley impressive CV, having previously led Crystal Palace and Reading to promotion from the Championship to the top flight.

Coppell has also earned a reputation as someone who can identify and nurture talented young players.

Lifelong City fan and regular Green Un columnist Matt Withers suggested the appointment would be welcomed by the vast majority of City fans. He said: "Steve Coppell has been my first choice all along. His record speaks for itself and his appointment represents a massive step forward for Bristol City. We are gaining a high-profile manager with a proven track record, good contacts and a fantastic reputation, and I think all City supporters will be delighted."

He added: "I think Keith Millen deserves to keep a job. He has got the team playing entertaining football once again. He has surprised a lot of people and proved he can cut it as a manager in his own right."