Coppell hints he will stay at Reading

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 23:24

FAN power could keep Steve Coppell at relegated Reading after he dropped the strongest hint yet he will stay on as manager and try to lead the club back into the Barclays Premier League next season.

Coppell, whose team’s demotion after just two seasons at the top was confirmed on Sunday despite a 4-0 win at Derby, will announce his decision at the end of the week.

The former Manchester United and England winger was touched by the tremendous reception he was given from the 3,000-plus travelling fans at Pride Park, while local radio stations have been bombarded with supportive texts, begging him not to quit.

There has even been a ‘Save Steve Coppell’ group set up on a popular social networking website and Coppell told the Reading Evening Post: “The fans’ support does come into my thinking and I was delighted with the reception they gave me personally.

“From that point of view, I feel blessed to be working for a club where I am appreciated.

That support from the fans wouldn’t have been there at any other club.

“They are unique and their response does have a bearing on my future. If the fans were all saying ‘he’s had his time’, I wouldn’t be able to stay on.”