Steve Coppell resigns as Bristol City manager
Steve Coppell has resigned as Bristol City manager after just two matches in charge.
The 55-year-old has quit the Ashton Gate club after informing City chairman Steve Lansdown of his decision yesterday, and has now retired from football management.
“It is with the deepest regret that I confirm my departure from Bristol City,” he said in a statement to the League Manager’s Association.
“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.”
City have acted quickly to appoint former caretaker manager Keith Millen as boss on a three-year deal.
Coppell’s reign got off to an inauspicious start with a 3-0 defeat to Millwall on the Championship’s opening day, and followed that up by being knocked out of the Carling Cup by League Two Southend United on Tuesday night.
Lansdown was disappointed, but accepted Coppell’s decision.
“Steve's prestigious career as a player, coupled with his experiences and successes as a manager are in no doubt,” he said.
“His footballing pedigree made him our prime target to manage the club early this year.
“It is disappointing for any club to part company with its manager at this stage of the season. However, we respect Steve's decision, one that allows us the opportunity to appoint his successor and give that individual the full season to work with the squad.”
Coppell, who led Reading to promotion to the Premier League in 2006, had one of the shortest reigns in managerial history when he quit Manchester City after just 33 days in 1996, and has now decided to call time on his career as a boss.
“I am retiring from football management,” he said.
“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."
Tags: