<div id="attachment_892" style="width: 478px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/08/coppell.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-892" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-892" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/08/coppell.jpg" alt="" width="468" height="433"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-892" class="wp-caption-text">Bye Steve</p></div>
<p>Well while many Bristol City fans felt that they had one of their best squads in years a few weeks ago, <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11726_6307983,00.html">Steve Coppell has dampened hopes of promotion slightly by announcing his resignation today</a> after only two competitive games in charge. Coppell claims, in his statement, that he has failed to become passionate about managing Bristol City and he could never be more accurate when he says that the timing of his departure is not ideal. It’s hard not to feel sorry for Bristol City fans at this moment, Coppell has basically came in and spent the clubs budget on players he wanted, only to walk out and potentially damage what was a promising season. The ex-Reading manager has also said that he is retiring from football management and the rumour mill is bound to start turning, as people will speculate reasons as to why this chain of events has occurred.</p>
<p>Bristol City were shocked on the opening day of the season, as newly promoted Millwall ran out 3-0 winners at Ashton Gate and Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to League One Southend in the Carling Cup also sent alarm bells ringing. Coppell was one of the most respected British managers in the country, particularly after his success with Reading and he seemed like quite the coup for Bristol City. Long serving Bristol player/coach Keith Millen has been appointed as the side’s new manager, signing a three year contract and will now be tasked with leading the team forward in the Championship.</p>
<p>So Coppell has left after only two games, but City fans can remain hopeful that they still have a number of quality players at their disposal. This is Millen’s first job in football management and I wish him all the best.</p>


Steve Coppell Leaves Bristol City. Wait, What?

Steve Coppell Leaves Bristol City. Wait, What? - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_870" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/07/david-james.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-870" loading="lazy" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-870" src="/files/2010/07/david-james-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-870" class="wp-caption-text">Can James lead The Robins to the top flight?</p></div>
<p>He may turn 40 tomorrow, but <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6286510,00.html">that hasn’t stopped Bristol City from snapping up England goalkeeper David James on a free transfer</a>, after the player was unable to agree a deal with former employers Portsmouth. James had bigger offers from the Premiership and Celtic in Scotland, but<a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6286668,00.html"> Neil Lennon told reporters that James had no desire to move up north</a> due to family reasons. Now with Steve Coppell at the helm and a big name like James who kept goal for his country at this summer’s World Cup, Bristol City fans may feel that the club really can make a charge towards the Premier League. Coppell is certainly keen to leave his mark on the team and as well as James,<a href="http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/bristolcity/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/10/07/30/manual_125037.html&amp;TEAMHD=bristolcity&amp;DIV=nat1&amp;TEAM=BRISTOL--CITY&amp;RH=Bristol--City&amp;PREV_SEASON="> the likes of Nicky Hunt and Damion Stewart have came in</a> to sure up the defence, whereas players like Bradley Orr and Paul Hartley have left to play for QPR and Aberdeen respectively. <a href="http://www.reading.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=204254">Coppell has also decided to rekindle his relationship with Kalifa Cisse</a>, who he managed while in charge of Reading and new Portsmouth signing <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11726_6286405,00.html">Ibrahima Sonko has revealed that Bristol City made a late move to capture him</a>. They may not have got their man, but it would appear that after Gary Johnson helped establish the club in the Championship, the team now has higher ambitions and an eye on the bigger picture.</p>
<p>Johnson’s departure from the managerial hot seat came after some erratic form last season and the board were disappointed that the club was receiving heavy defeats. The signing of David James has certainly gave the club a lot more media attention, Sky Sports in particular gave us a lovely montage of James’ haircuts over the years (oh and his career too) and have ran the story for a number of days. <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11726_6287800,00.html">James has already gave out a battle cry and wants the club to aim for promotion</a> and his name has got many Bristol City fans excited at their teams prospects this season, although many supporters believe that the club need several more new signings in order to really push on and<a href="http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/bristolcitynews/Coppell-Stand-signings-soon/article-2477167-detail/article.html"> their manager may be about to grant their wish</a>.</p>
<p>So all of a sudden Bristol look like a contender for promotion although it is important that the team remains focused at the start of the season and doesn’t get too caught up in the prospect of promotion, a good start to the season is vital to their ambitions and will provide a solid base to work off. It will be interesting to see who the club brings in, a striker to help Nicky Maynard get the goals up front would be welcomed by the supporters, although rumours of the club being interested in Marlon King have not been welcomed by supporters (as at most clubs). In my opinion I think the club is going in the right direction and they should be challenging for the playoffs this season, but the importance of success is now vital, as the board has shown a considerable investment and backed Steve Coppell in the transfer market and the club could suffer financial difficulties in the future if the side doesn’t reach the Premier League. The Robins have shown their ambition and it appears that their goal is to be playing Premiership football when they move to their new 30,000 seat stadium in 2012.</p>


David James Signs For Bristol City &#8211; Eyes Promotion

David James Signs For Bristol City - Eyes Promotion - World Soccer Talk

David James Signs For Bristol City – Eyes Promotion

<p><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=steve coppell&amp;iid=8598017" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/c/c/b/9/Football__Bristol_f971.jpg?adImageId=12668484&amp;imageId=8598017" border="0" alt="Football - Bristol City" width="500" height="322"></figure></div></a></p>
<p>Steve Coppell is a popular figure in football. Fondly remembered at every club he has either played for or managed, the former Manchester United man is about to embark on a new challenge.</p>
<p>Bristol City are the club fortunate enough to welcome Coppell, as the 54 year old looks to take the Robins back to previous heights, and City couldn’t have picked a better man for the job</p>
<p>In his previous job at Reading, Coppell guided the Royals to the Premier League, amassing 106 points, and scoring 99 goals. Reading were the entertainers of the Championship. The following season Coppell excelled once again, with Reading finishing in eighth place in the Premier League.</p>
<p>For this remarkable achievement Coppell was named Manager of the Year for the second year in a row. Speaking of Coppell’s achievements Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I think it’s totally deserved. It’s a marvellous contribution he’s made.”</p>
<p>But during this time Coppell remained as modest as ever saying: “It is testimony to what everyone is doing at the club. I get the prize but it is everyone else who is doing all the work I can assure you.”</p>
<p>And this is why Coppell is so popular in football. In an era of brash flamboyancy, it makes a refreshing change for a manager that doesn’t want to be in the limelight.</p>
<p>But Coppell has always been this way. After leaving Crystal Palace to take over at Manchester City in 1996, Coppell lasted just 33 days in charge citing the pressure of the job Maine Road as too much. Coppell would return to Selhurst Park the following year, and then eagles chairman Ron Knowles said: “I think he found the club [Manchester City] too enormous.”</p>
<p>While the pressure at Bristol City might not be quite what it was in Manchester, Coppell is well aware of the demands from his new employer: “I think every manager knows that promotion is his brief. This is a club who want to go forward, they want to progress and they want to be in the top division. I think every manager wants to ply his trade in the top flight, and I’m no different. The ambition is to go forward.”</p>
<p>One of the reasons why Coppell was so successful at Reading was togetherness he installed at the club. And Coppell knows that he will need everybody on board if he is to have an equally successful tenure at Ashton Gate: “Our challenge is to get the club in the top division. I’m just here to direct the ship. No one person can do it.</p>
<p>“What do we need? We need to win games. Football is a strange business, its a very much week to week industry, everybody is judged by results in football, myself and the players know this, but the challenge is very much there for next season.”</p>
<p>Football was more of a season to season industry for Coppell at Reading, After their incredible first season in the top flight, they struggled to reach the same standard the following year, and were eventually relegated on the last day of the season.</p>
<p>But testimony to his popularity at the Madjeski Stadium, Reading fans gave Coppell universal backing despite the relegation. Reading looked set for an immediate return to the top flight the following year, but poor end of season form saw them eventually miss out on automatic promotion before losing to Burnley in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Reading fans would have again wanted Coppell to stay on but typical of his character, the self critic that Coppell is, feeling he had failed in his job decided it was time to move on. Speaking at a press conference following his resignation Coppell said, “I apologise, we had more then enough opportunities and fire power to be promoted, and we haven’t done it, it is the managers fault.”</p>
<p>Coppell looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders that day. But he has taken time out from the game, and looks refreshed and ready for his new challenge: “I’m excited but I am also a little nervous, that shows you how excited I am.</p>
<p>“I want to do well for the people that employ me, it is a good place and I’m looking forward to the challenge both personally and collectively as a club. I feel this club has the potential to go forward. But potential is tomorrows word, you have got to make it happen. It is my job to help realise the huge ambitions that the chairman holds for the future of this club by producing a winning football team.”</p>
<p>The chairman referred to is Steve Lansdown, and Coppell admits the two have discussed a budget for next season: “There haven’t been any figures put on it, but looking at the chairman’s record in the past, he has obviously been very supportive of whoever has been in charge.</p>
<p>“I recognise there is a market for this club in terms of the players they are capable of bringing in.</p>
<p>I won’t make any stupid requests but I’m sure the chairman will be very supportive if there are players who need to come in”</p>
<p>The transfer market was an area where Coppell achieved some great success at Reading, with Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt some of the bargain buys he picked up. If Coppell is able to produce similar finds for Bristol City, then there is no doubt that Coppell he will become one of the most popular figures in yet another clubs history.</p>


Coppell Looking To Make More Friends

Coppell Looking To Make More Friends - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/politicalbetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/burnley-at-wembley.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="314"></figure></div>
<p>So it’s official then, Owen Coyle will be the new manager of Bolton Wanderers and Burnley now have to find the right man to replace him as they look to continue the good work this season has produced. It is crucial that the chairman, Barry Kilby, makes the right decision in who to appoint as Coyle’s successor at Turf Moor.</p>
<p>Without wanting to state the obvious, it is paramount to Burnley’s continued success this season that the right man is given the job. That means the chairman has to avoid being star struck when the same old names come calling for the vacancy. Get it right and Burnley’s home form should see them stay up. Make the wrong decision and the club could spiral to the foot of the table in weeks.</p>
<p></p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/politicalbetting.com/i/pix/2009/05/owen-coyle-415x275.jpg" alt="" width="415" height="275"></figure></div>
<p>Whilst Kilby should be rightly lauded for appointing Coyle in the first place, I don’t think anyone could have predicted just how much of an effect he would have on the sleeping giant. Stabilising the club by keeping them in the Championship and slowly building, improving the side year on year would have been a wonderful achievement. He surpassed all that when they won the play off final with their highest finish to a season since 1976.</p>
<p>Yet, you only have to look back to the mid nineties to see the age old disease that afflicts certain chairman. They get star struck and with the tenures of Adrian Heath and Chris Waddle still in the minds of Burnley fans, the last thing the club needs is a ex-footballer who thinks he can manage in the Premiership. They need someone who knows the demands of Premiership football and what the club means to the fans. It is not an easy decision for the club to make but they have to keep their eye on the prize.</p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/politicalbetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/souness.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="268"></figure></div>
<p>It also means avoiding such arch self publicists as Graham Souness, Ruud Guillit, Bryan Robson and Gianluca Vialli. Men who’s reputations are fanned by the hero worship dished out to them as pundits on Sky Sports. Ignore their failings as managers, they’ve won countless trophies as players, men such as Tony Cottee who took over a Barnet side flying high only to completely destroy them in less than 5 months. Star struck chairman should be banned.</p>
<p>So I had a look on the<a href="http://www.leaguemanagers.com/index.html" target="_blank"> League Managers Association Website</a> earlier, to see who was available on their list. Oddly, Souness, Vialli and Guillit are still touting their wares, but a couple of oddities appeared. Burnley’s two previous managers before Coyle, the overrated Steve Cotterill and the universally detested Stan Ternent are still on there.&nbsp; In fact most of the list reads as a who not to give the job too, with John Barnes and Tony Adams still refusing to realise their limitations and the ever popular Gary Megson available if you want to alienate your entire fan base.</p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/politicalbetting.com/news_pictures/9/esgxs1228553286.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="276"></figure></div>
<p>Yet there are some stand out candidates, firstly Alan Curbishley is there, as is Mark Hughes and Steve Coppell. Former Scotland manager George Burley and&nbsp; Paul Jewell are still available. For me, those are the 5 top options of unemployed managers that the LMA are offering. Curbishley wouldn’t probably want to move so far North and probably Coppell is wrestling with the idea of returning to Reading no doubt.</p>
<p>It may be too soon for Mark Hughes to return to the game so quickly after his ignomious exit from Manchester City which leaves Burley and Jewell. Burley proved at Ipswich that he could work on a tight budget, play effective and attractive football and earn promotion whilst at Ipswich. What he has against him is his failure to deal with bigger name players and keep sides in the Premiership. Jewell also has proved an ability to make a purse out of a sows ear, as his spells at Bradford City and Wigan Athletic showed.</p>
<p>Jewell though is still tainted by his awful spell at Derby County and Burley proved in his third Premiership season with Ipswich and during his time as Scotland manager, he just can’t handle big name players. He was also tainted with a torrid spell at Pride Park, which begs the question, what happens to managers at Derby County?? So would going after a manager currently employed be the answer?</p>
<p>Looking outside the Premiership though only seems to point to one candidate who could cope with the job and the pressure of Premier League football. He’s managed an international side and took a team from non league to the cusp of promotion to the Championship. He then took over another sleeping giant and took them up before almost taking them to the Premiership in 2008. That man is Gary Johnson at Bristol City and I believe he’s the only man out there for the job at Burnley.</p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/politicalbetting.com/images/bristolcity/GJ.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="339"></figure></div>
<p>Now, don’t laugh but I honestly feel he’d be perfect for the job and would keep Burnley up. The only downside is that potentially, Bristol City are a bigger club, with a larger fan base. This season, they’re averaging 14,553 fans a game, whilst Burnley are almost at capacity with 20,344. Promotion for Bristol City would be a massive boost for the area, and with plans to move the club to a 30,000 seater stadium by 2011, with option to increase it to 42,000, would Johnson give all that up for a crack at the Premiership? It’d be a tough ask, but if they could get him, then they should bite his hand off. Just don’t give it to one of the usual suspects, it’d be curtains for Burnley.</p>

Burnley Have To Make The Right Choice

Burnley Have To Make The Right Choice - World Soccer Talk

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