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Steve Coppell
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Coppell quits Bristol City and retires from management

By Jonny Fordham
August 12, 2010

Steve Coppell has resigned from Bristol City and retired from football management.

The former Reading boss lasted just two games at Ashton Gate before handing in his notice yesterday.

He released the following statement through the League Managers Association.

"It is with the deepest regret that I confirm my departure from Bristol City.

“I have made my decision after very careful consideration and I believe that it is in the best interests of both the club and me personally that we go our separate ways.

“Bristol City is an excellent club, with brilliant support and a chairman with great ambition for the club's future.

“Whilst I was looking forward to the challenge of leading the players in this season's campaign, unfortunately, it has become clear over recent weeks, that I found I could not, for whatever reason, become passionate about the role and give the commitment the position demands

“I appreciate that the timing of my departure is not ideal, but I believe it is best for the club to appoint a new manager or indeed appoint Keith Millen, who has a deep knowledge of the club and the squad, at this stage of the season.

“That individual can then make decisions on signing players before the window closes and work with the squad for the full campaign.

“I am retiring from football management but still feel I have a contribution to make to the game sometime in the future.

“I would like to sincerely thank the chairman and the board for their understanding and I wish the club and its supporters every success.”

Coppell, 55, was Reading’s most successful manager and guided Royals to the Premier League in 2006 with a record points haul of 106.

He resigned from his position at Madejski Stadium in May 2009 after failing to steer the club back to the top-flight, but he will always go down in Reading folklore as a legend.

The previous season fans begged him to stay after the club were relegated from the Premier League.

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Most recent user comments 19 of 19

Nothing is for ever Steve ?

Dave Venner Adelaide s Australia

davo, adelaide south australiaex Reading
13/08/2010 at 00:56

All the best Steve and thankyou for a football piece of magic in history of the club taking them to the Premier league. If you are ever down this neck of the woods mate pop in for a bbq and a beer mate all the best in what you do in life Cheers.

Expom, Christchurch New Zealand
12/08/2010 at 19:51

my name dave and im still hungry

Hungry Dave
12/08/2010 at 17:17

"There's only one Stevie Coppell" a popular chant on 26-12-2010 me thinks!

Thanks Steve & Good Luck!

Robsy , Reading
12/08/2010 at 17:04

It's not the first time though..

How long did his reign at Man City last?

Reading legend :)

Stephen B, Praha
12/08/2010 at 15:35

It's a veiled compliment to us, in a way. He obviously felt he couldn't hit the same 'high' he had during his tenure at RFC. Probably he thinks now that he should have 'retired' from frontline management when he left us.

Pinju, Tilehurst
12/08/2010 at 14:51

all thne best steve, one of the best managers we have ever had that leads us to the premiership! i hope he does something else in the world of football maybe tv pundit?

Monkity, Reading
12/08/2010 at 14:44

Great manager for Reading - we lived the dream!

Be fair on Hammond - he has done what most supporters wanted ie signed Griffin and negitiated lomger contracts with some youngsters.

Don't blame him if the purse strings are tight.

That's Life
12/08/2010 at 14:00

Good on you Steve. Genuinely one of the most intelligent guys in football - which prob explains why you quit! The best think that happened to Reading FC. Well, along with Trevor Senior, of course.

Fleet Street Royal
12/08/2010 at 13:58

I would truly look forward to his memoirs to know what happened behind the scenes at Reading when things fell apart (was he stopped from buying a 'Sidwell' replacement, what happened with Fae, , did he want to invest in his final season here, were there disrupting influences that season), but from what I have gleaned of the bloke from his career, I don't expect him to write one (a great guy with sincerity through everything he ever did). Pity. But my thanks for taking us to Camelot for a while.

Bingley, Woodley
12/08/2010 at 12:59

Give him some kind of honorary role here at the club

Chinese Steve
12/08/2010 at 12:54

Free pint for you mate whenever your in Reading

Brock O'Lee
12/08/2010 at 12:50

Would love to see him back at RFC in some capacity.

Cisse and James must be gutted tho, he was the major reason why they went there.

Lester Crinklesack
12/08/2010 at 12:47

A sad time for Steve, who will always be a legend in Reading.

Best of luck for the future, where ever it may take you....

Southbank Dave
12/08/2010 at 12:46

Give Hammond the chop and bring in Coppell as Director of Football.

Having said that, we don't have any money to spend anyway so the role is redundant, just like Hammond should be.

JD, Reading
12/08/2010 at 12:43

All the best Steve, you're an absolute legend at Reading!

Steve101
12/08/2010 at 12:40

off

Millicent Reeves, Twyford
12/08/2010 at 12:15

He took Cisse of our books for half a million - legend.

Millicent Reeves, Twyford
12/08/2010 at 12:15

Poor old Steve, the relationship he had at Reading with Madejski and Hammond genuinely spoiled him for any other management job. He never had such freedom.

All the best Steve, you'll always be welcome at Reading.