Steve Coppell steps down as Bristol City manager; Keith Millen takes over
Former Reading manager Steve Coppell has handed his resignation at Bristol City after just 112 days at Ashton Gate. The sudden decision by Coppell has left the club in a tricky situation just days into the start of the new season. Keith Millen, the assistant manager, has been made the new manager on a 3-year deal.
Coppell, who made his name as a player at Manchester United, said that he may also call it a day from football management. In his short managerial career, he has been in charge of Reading, Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
The 55 year old manager said that he has realised that he is simply not able to give the same amount of commitment and dedication to the role and is considering ending his managerial career.
Steve Coppell left Manchester City after just more than a month on the job, and was handed the job at Bristol City in April when Gary Johnson left the club, although he did not take the job until the end of the season in May.
Coppell was in charge of Bristol for just 2 competitive matches: the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Millwall (2010-11 Football League Championship), followed by the 3-2 loss against Southend in the Football League Cup.
Steve Coppell, after announcing his departure, said that the timing is not the best, but he added that this is the best for the club, and this is just the start of the season and they can build a new management team for the whole season.
He said that he has decided to retire from football management, but he will continue to contribute to the sport in some other way in the future.
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown said that there is no doubt about the capabilities of Coppell as a manager and as a player. He said that the club had decided to give him the job because the whole board knew that he was the best man for the job. Steve said that if Coppell himself feels that he is no longer interested in football management, then it is his own decision and the club respects that. He said, however, that it would definitely be a blow for the club to start afresh at this stage of the season; he added, though, that in hindsight, it still may be a good thing because after just 2 games, the team still has enough time to rally under a new manager.
Steve Coppell played a major role in bringing England goalkeeper David James to the club; he held several talks with the 40 year old goalkeeper and convinced him to play in the championship for Bristol City.
Millen, who has been at the club since 1999, has been made manager after Coppell’s resignation. The 43 year old joined the club 11 years ago as a player and has been at the club long enough to know the ins and outs.
The club, in an official statement, said that Keith Millen would take charge with immediate effect and his role would not be a caretaker one; instead, he is being handed a deal for 3 years. Lansdown said that the club is very happy to hand Millen the job and know that he will help the club make it to the Premier League by the end of the season. The statement said that Millen has previously managed the club on several occasions and would have no problems in taking the job full time.
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