Steve Coppell

[Stuttgart88]

Well, if it deserves a headline in The Irish Times, and the likes of Howard Kendall can get a thread to himself, then this man certainly does too.

Coppell back in frame for Irish job
Paul O'Hehir
Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Former Everton manager Howard Kendall is interested in the Republic of Ireland job and if appointed would bring Peter Beardsley in as his assistant. However, he is not viewed as a serious contender, unlike Reading boss Steve Coppell who is now back in the frame.

Kendall (61) has made discreet enquiries about succeeding Steve Staunton and could be among a dozen candidates interviewed by 'headhunters' Don Givens and Don Howe.

Terry Venables remains the strong favourite for the role although Gerard Houllier, Liam Brady, David O'Leary, Arie Haan, Graeme Souness and Roy Hodgson - among others - are also in contention.

But Givens and Howe are also expected to talk with Coppell - the former Crystal Palace, Brentford and Brighton boss - who hinted he could soon leave Reading after growing tired of day-to-day management.

The Reading boss was linked to the Ireland job last month and said he would relish international management. However, he quickly distanced himself from comments he made in relation to the Irish post.

But quoted today he suggests a break from the game could soon be on the cards. Should he leave the Premier League club, a stint in international management may suit.

The 52-year-old has been in charge of Reading for four years and orchestrated their promotion to the top-flight for the first time in their history in 2006.

"I can't enjoy management," he told The Sun. "I work all week to win a game. If we win I have an unbeatable high for 20 minutes, but then it's thinking about the next game.

"If we are beaten, it's a bottomless pit. It goes through my mind when I get beat, do I need this?"

Kendall said he put his name forward on the back of Venable's interest as he is adamant he holds a better CV than the former England boss.

"I do think I have a better CV than Terry," said Kendall. "That's what influenced me to go back into it. I thought, 'hang on, I have a better CV than him'."

Kendall made his mark at Everton but has also managed Blackburn, Manchester City and Sheffield United, not to mention Spanish side Athletic Bilbao during the 1980s.

He had three spells at the Goodison Park club before leaving in 1998 for an unsuccessful jaunt with Greek side Ethnikos Piraeus. He lasted just four months before getting the sack.

But that was eight years ago and Kendall has not managed since. He denies he has lost touch with the game and has urged the FAI to scrutinise his CV.

"I've had long enough out of it now and I feel it would be perfect for me and hopefully for them. I've made some enquiries," he said.

"I am in touch with the modern game, I write a column in the local newspaper and I go and watch Premier League football every week.

"I know who I would put in place. If he was interested, the likes of Peter Beardsley, I think he would be superb. I have spoken to Peter and he said he would love to work with me again."

Kendall said he "loved" Irish people and he is looking for a challenge with an "enthusiastic" assistant working alongside him. He is not interested in day-to-day club management.

Bookmakers make Kendall an outside 33 to 1 chance for the job. Coppell, though, represents better value at present odds of 40 to 1.

© 2007 ireland.com

[aidz1]

i saw on ceefax yesterday that stated that steve coppell may be ready to step down at reading as he believes he has brought them as far as he can.
personally he would be my 2nd choice to take the reins (1st being martin o'neill-but no chance this time for him).
he has done well at quite a number of smaller teams in england bringing them higher up the league as anyime in their respective recent history.
he has done well in cup competitions beating the 'big boys' at times. he also manages a good core of the irish lads at reading.
he certainly would be my preferred pick rather than the names bandied about at thte moment.
perhaps the 40-1 odds may be a backer???

[eekers]

plusses for coppell:

• league managers assocation manager of the year last two years running.

• got 3 premier league promotions (one was the highest number of points ever in the league)

• finished 3rd in the league with palace, 8th with reading

• fa cup final with palace

• only 51 but been managing for 23 years

[drinkfeckarse]

Didn't realise he was 40/1??? If that's right I'll be having some of that. Very credible candidate and one I'd take in a heartbeat.

[eekers]

Didn't realise he was 40/1??? If that's right I'll be having some of that. Very credible candidate and one I'd take in a heartbeat.

he's down to 20/1 ish in most bookies at the moment

[youngirish]

Of what's left Coppell and Hodgson (if he's stilll available) are head and shoulders above the other potential candidates. I'd personally take Coppell as I'd say he'd hang around if he was successful. Hodgson seems to have itchy feet when it comes to management similar to the far less capable Terry Venables.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm excited by this development.

Funny: the media are more than happy to quote Kevin Doyle & Stephen Hunt as being excited by Venables. I'd imagine it goes without saying they'd prefer Coppell, but would they ask them for an opinion?

Tuff Paddy - get down to the Madejski and ask them.

[Dr. Ogba]

yeah if we failed to get Hodgson then Coppell would deffo be my second choice. Great record with lesser teams, has the respect of some of the Irish lads already and likes to play the game properly. I think he'd be good at keeping the prima-donnas grounded aswell....

[irishfan86]

Of what's left Coppell and Hodgson (if he's stilll available) are head and shoulders above the other potential candidates. I'd personally take Coppell as I'd say he'd hang around if he was successful. Hodgson seems to have itchy feet when it comes to management.

Agreed, I really hope Coppell gets an interview, who else could you pick?

I'd love Hodgson as well, but I wouldn't be surprised if our headhunters didn't even know that he was still available for international management.

[eekers]

yep those two and jol are the only serious gettable candidates i see being interviewed

[Stuttgart88]

I wouldn't be surprised if our headhunters didn't even know that Hodgson was still available for international management.

True, but it'd be unforgivable to think that. My cynical guess is that they'll hide behind the incorrect public perception that Hodgson is unavailable.

[eekers]

everyone should be seen as available whether they're in a job or not. its like a club only signing players available on free transfers!!

back to coppell his granny is irish! thats it sorted then i think

[Dodge]

I've backed Coppell for the England job. by far the best candiate for the Ireland job IMO

[Noelys Guitar]

I would have Coppell over any of the other candidates if he truly wants the job. Although I can't see him or any top manager putting themselves through this farce of a selection committee. I believe this is what happened with Jewell. He was'nt offered the job and had no interest in going through an interview with a committee. I can't see Houllier or Hodgson agreeing to do interviews with a 3-man committee either. And then to be told that the 3-man committee does not have the final say on who becomes manager.

[elroy]

I think one essential quality we require in our new manager is the proven ability to consistently get the best out of players who would not be regarded as the most talented and to have the team perform at a level greater than the sum of the parts.

I think Hodgson has proven that he is capable of this as has Coppell.

[eirebhoy]

I'd take Coppell in a second tbh.

[Stuttgart88]

I would as I think he's a super candidate. I also think he'd qualify under Tetsujin's expected criterion, i.e., that the FAI will go for the candidate least likely to be disapproved of by a lot of people.

[tetsujin1979]

I would as I think he's a super candidate. I also think he'd qualify under Tetsujin's expected criterion, i.e., that the FAI will go for the candidate least likely to be disapproved of by a lot of people.

don't forget the big one - he's not Terry Venables.

[Deckydee]

Yes my second favourite. I mentioned Dalgish as my favourite in another post.

Would he be that good though, i guess time will tell

[BradyIsMyHero]

Interviewed recently on Sky after Reading were tonked by Arsenal, Steve Coppell was asked to what he attributed the defeat.

Thinking for a second or two (as he does), he said "...Arsenal were better than us"

We could do with an honest manager, for a change