Coppell can be the new Fergie

Stuart Mathieson

February 15, 2007

STEVE COPPELL: Doing well at Reading

STEVE Coppell will walk out at Old Trafford on Saturday as Reading boss in the FA Cup. But Tommy Docherty argues that his former Reds winger could one day be emerging from the same Stretford End tunnel as United's manager.

The Doc is a self-confessed Coppell fan, and believes that one of his key cogs in United's cavalier mid-70s side has built up a managerial CV good enough to tackle the job as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor whenever that post becomes vacant.

Coppell went into management as a 29-year-old with Crystal Palace in 1984 after a knee injury forced him to quit playing when he was at his Old Trafford peak.

Since then, 17 of those ensuing 23 years have been spent in a hot-seat taking him back and forth to Palace and also Manchester City - where he lasted just 33 days in 1996 before walking out - Brentford and Brighton.

He hooked up at Reading in 2003, leading them to the Premiership and a lofty sixth spot this season.

Now Docherty insists that Coppell's longevity and playing style would make him a top candidate the day Fergie retires, but also says that the ex-winger could do most jobs in football.

Contenders

"I think Steve should make me his PR man because I just can't find fault with him. He is an absolutely superb professional," the Doc told M.E.N. Sport.

"Nothing surprises me with what he does or could do. If he became the chairman of FIFA I would not be surprised in the least. When they were discussing contenders for the England job after Sven-Goran Eriksson left, there were two outstanding candidates as far as I was concerned - they were Martin O'Neill and Steve who are brilliant.

"I think that, at this moment, if Sir Alex was to leave Old Trafford then there are two perfect choices for that job - and it is Steve again and Mark Hughes.

"From Steve's point of view he has a fabulous track record and has got Reading playing in a style that United fans would love.

"In my opinion there are three teams this season who are really wonderful to watch and anybody would pay money to see - and they are United, Arsenal and Reading.

"That would certainly count for something when you are appointing a manager at Old Trafford."

The Doc was alerted to the emergence of a young Coppell at Tranmere Rovers in 1974 by his scout and former Sir Matt Busby assistant, Jimmy Murphy.

The effervescent young flankman ticked the boxes for Docherty in 1975 as he revamped the Reds following their relegation to the Second Division.

The Doc recalled: "Jimmy came back from watching Steve and simply said to me: `Sign him'. Jimmy said that if I wasted time waiting for him to write up a report then someone else would have bought him.

Studies

"We went to Tranmere and they said they wanted é50,000 for Steve. United agreed to pay é25,000 initially and then another é25,000 when Steve had played 50 games for us. But soon after he signed we gave Tranmere the extra é25,000 anyway because we knew he would play those matches."

Croxteth-born Coppell was studying for a BSc at Liverpool University while playing at Prenton Park, and United agreed that he could continue his studies.

Indeed, the Doc never saw the winger in action on United's Cliff training ground.

"In two years I had him at Old Trafford I never saw him train," he said. "With our permission he used to play for us on a Saturday then he'd go off to university and we wouldn't see him again until the following Friday when we met up for the next match!

"But you had no worries doing something like that with Steve because he was that perfect professional. You knew he'd look after himself and do his own training as well as studying.

"Steve was the best pro I ever had in my life. His attitude and dedication was the best bar none. He was too good to be true. I can only imagine that someone like Paul Scholes is like that nowadays.

"It's clear that Steve has taken the same attitude into management. However, I am not sure he will get any joy at Old Trafford on Saturday in the Cup. My money would be on United."

Do you think Coppell has the potential to manage United? Have your say.

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Royal Gorilla, Southamton (15/02/2007 at 10:37)

He is already managing a large club so why would he want to leave us? You do show a pompous attiude and think you are a massive side. I will swallow these words when you bring back the Euro cup, in the mean time stick to complacency in the Premiership,and conceal your egos.

Farai, Harare (15/02/2007 at 10:43)

A lot to agree with this article.People do not give Coppel the credit he deserves.He is doing a great job at Reading and I can't stop adoring the way he makes it tough whenever he plays against the big guns[ChelSki].Well with additional grooming he might be a good candidate, but unfortunately its not easy for him because the OT managerial post is the hottest seat in the world and I think the Glazers would favour someone who has managed at the highest level .

Jonathan Chin, Penang, truly asia (15/02/2007 at 11:01)

hmm. never think before... i prefer P.Jewell actually....

Jonathan Chin, Penang, truly asia (15/02/2007 at 11:09)

Royal from South... relax... just rumours... BUT I am sure u will eat yr words!

Manc Abroad, OT (15/02/2007 at 11:18)

Strange. I thought Shankly had seen him first but Liverpool were not interested, so he recommended him to Tommy Doc. Great player and a good manager, but whatever happened during those 33 days at Maine Road.

mark, rochdale/gosport (15/02/2007 at 11:19)

royal your not really a massive club now are you and to call the biggest club in the world pompus is just ridicules.
Dont forget coppel was a utd great and has utd in his blood like any player whos ever had the oppertunity to wear the famous red shirt of ours.
So i think you should keep your silly comments to your self.
Listen wigan did ok when they came up in the first year and dont look to solid now do they?????
Dont count your chickens.

Komodo, Cape Town (15/02/2007 at 11:24)

Jonathan, you definately no think before... Paul Jewell! Are you out of your mind!

Nathan, Finchampstead (15/02/2007 at 11:27)

Royal Gorilla do you seriously think that if Steve Coppell were offered the United job he'd turn it down because Reading are a big club? You don't become a big club overnight, even Reading know this which is the reason why they are holding off with the stadium expansion until they establish themselves for more than 1 season in the PL.

steve, Glossop (15/02/2007 at 11:34)

Cant see it & he may be too old if Alex's intentions are to stay forever I don't think Steve's the type who'll want to manage into his 60's.

Phil, Donegal, Eire (15/02/2007 at 11:36)

Royal Mug, nobody said he wanted to leave. All the article says is that he is kind of quality who could be considered a candidate for one of the biggest jobs in football. The managers of the biggest clubs in the world will be linked whenever Fergie goes, does that mean we're being arrogant and assuming that their manager would want to leave them?

Jonathan Chin, Penang, truly asia (15/02/2007 at 11:48)

komodo, i forgive you. Just a satirize for what i post just now.

UTD 4ever, Manchester (15/02/2007 at 11:57)

Coppel's doing a great job at Reading & things should stay as they are - he had probs in the past (especilaly when the pressure started building up) and to be honest, managing @ United is worlds apart from Reading (no offense Reading, but Utd is the world's biggest & best club) - do you think Coppel could handle living in a goldfish bowl every day + dealing with player egos like rooney, ronny, etc, etc??? not a chance - he'd crumble in a second.

Reds4Ever, West Yorkshire (15/02/2007 at 12:02)

Reading a big club! You're 'avin' a Steffi Graff!

Michael A Cope, Once from Denton, now from Denmark (15/02/2007 at 12:06)

Royal Gorilla, Southamton?

Well that says it all really. But how about eating your words and swallowing your pride when you realise how rude it is to interupt adults when they are having a conversation?

I wish a true United Legend all the best, but even he knows you are a mickey mouse club when compared the best club in the World, Manchester United. Go and play with the other little clubs.

Stevie Coppell is welcome back anytime, a truly World class player who hasn't quite done it at managerial level. He would be a greqt assistant or coach for us. He is good for a club like Reading. but seems to want to stay clear of the added stress and presures at the bigger clubs. As reported on the BBC website cconcerning his resignation from City

"Coppell is possibly the most bizarre example of a manager suddenly being overtaken by pressure - within 33 days of taking over.

He arrived at Maine Road with high hopes, but suddenly found himself unable to cope with life at Manchester City."

Now I can understand anybody running from that club, but the pressures of constant relegation and humiliation are nothing compared to managing the best and bigest sports club in the Unuverse!

Liam, Manchester (15/02/2007 at 12:12)

Coppell or Hughes have shown an ability to do well with limited resources and you'd have to fancy that they could do a great deal better given the right squad. I just think that when Fergie goes the club will only want to bring in someone who was done well consistently at the top level.

David McManus, Jeddah Middle East (15/02/2007 at 12:30)

It was fairly obvious to anybody that played with steve or watched him play that the guy had a talent. even from his early years you could predict that he would play for england, i believe that he could have gone to play for liverpool if the than boss Ron Yeats had not been talking in telephone numbers, i wish steve all the best were every he goes but Utd i dont think so, not that i dont believe he could do it, i feel that given the right backing and a few more quid he would be more a home bringing raw talent through the ranks using his unique unparalleled skills personality and character. you can acheive a great deal in football without having to work with mulit millionaires and bentley babes, would he want the job of course he would and why not he has got nought to lose no hair anyway,
All the best Davy mac

Derrick, Bournemouth (15/02/2007 at 12:44)

Top bloke he may be, but he thinks too much to do the O.T. job. He has spent many years in the lower leagues without setting any alight and arguably the Reading side is Alan Pardew's. Whichever, his snapping at Siddy shows his limitations when, unlike Reading, expectation exceeds ability.

SP, Reading (15/02/2007 at 12:49)

so many manchester based comments

macca, cornwall (15/02/2007 at 13:22)

I've got a feeling that the next United manager will be Steve McClaren.

The voice of reason, Eastlands (15/02/2007 at 13:25)

Can't wait for him to get the nod at the swamp.

Paul, Newbury (15/02/2007 at 13:42)

I can't believe some of the ignorant and misinformed views on this thread. I'd expect better from supporters of the so-called "biggest club in the world" Nathan from Finchampstead - living a stones throw from the Madejski surely you should know that detailed planning permission has been applied for to extend the Stadium with a view to commencing work in the summer? It will still only be half the size of OT admittedly, but impressive nonetheless. And the character who reckons Reading are still largely Pardew's side...LOL. Some of the players were AP's signings but the style of play is like comparing chalk with cheese. And for what it's worth I don't believe there's a hope in hell of Coppell being interested in taking over from SAF. That wouldn't be right for either party.

chris, oxford (15/02/2007 at 13:54)

Don't go saying things like that Macca! I wont be able to sleep for days now.

Simon, Chorlton (15/02/2007 at 14:11)

he wouldn't last more than 37 days or so - too much pressure

Nathan, Finchampstead (15/02/2007 at 14:21)

Paul, Newbury - Thanks for reinforcing my point....They will extend in the summer (once they are safe for another season!)
Do you think they'd extend if they were in jeopardy of going down...no

Not bashing Reading - I think they've done great. Also think Coppell is doing a great job and is perfect for a club of Reading's size and stature.

Sean, NYXMC (15/02/2007 at 14:58)

Steve Coppell is one of the best - and certainly the most underrated - managers in the country. Who knows what what going on during his time at City. Perhaps he just wasn't ready, but that aside, his career has been remarkable. He was the youngest ever league manager, at 28, and performed miracles in his first managerial job at Crystal Palace, where he is revered in much the same way as Henrik is at Celtic. He got them promotion in 89, to the FA Cup final in 1990, and they finished 3rd in the League in 1991 (THIRD! - Crystal Palace!). Even when they went down it was on a record number of points (49). He brought them back up again in 1997, in his second stint as manager. Wherever he has been - Palace, Bretford, Reading, he has taken his team at least to the play-offs. The only exception was at Brighton; in his one season there he narrowly missed helping them stave of relegation - a task that had looked impossible when he took over. At Reading he is performing miracles again. He won manager of teh year last year (over Jose and Alex), taking Reading into the top division for the first time in their 135 year history, with a record tally of points (106, I think it was). And this year he'll take them into Europe - no disrespect, but this is Reading, we're talking about! In Europe! How he was overlooked for the England job is beyond me. I'm not sure that he'd actually want the OT job, after his experience at City, but looking at how he has Reading playing, I would love to see him here. They won't "do a Wigan" next year, with Stev in charge - I think you'll see them emulating Bolton, rather than Wigan. And he's hardly too old, Steve. If SAF retires in three years, say, he'll still only be a sprightly 58.

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