Reading FC hero must regret leaving – he never hit the same heights after
Coppell’s next actions were a little disappointing after leading Reading to a record-breaking Championship title and Premier League promotion; he never again scaled the heights he did in Berkshire.
After his departure, the driving force behind Reading’s ascent to the Premier League progressively disappeared from the football community.
| Steve Coppell’s all-time Reading FC Managerial Record, as per transfermarkt | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 280 |
| Wins | 125 |
| Draws | 66 |
| Losses | 89 |
One of the most outstanding accomplishments in English football history is Steve Coppell’s tenure at Reading FC.
Coppell took over in 2003 and made the Royals virtually unbeatable. As a result, they had an amazing 2005–06 Championship season, finishing with 106 points, a record for a season with 46 games.
When you consider that Leeds and Burnley both concluded the 2024–25 Championship season with 100 points, the figures from that season are still astounding.
Under Coppell’s leadership, Reading earned their first-ever promotion to the Premier League by winning 31 games, drawing 12, and losing just twice.
Coppell’s accomplishment was particularly remarkable because of the resources available to him. Reading did not have significant expenditures or high-profile acquisitions, in contrast to many contemporary promotion-winning teams that relied on parachute payments.
Looking back on his time in Berkshire, Coppell said in an interview with World Football Index, “When I took the job, I… that chapter of my career was extraordinary.” “Excellent” is undoubtedly the appropriate word to use.
Coppell did continue to try to lead Reading back up after they were relegated from the Premier League in 2008, but even though they had a great start, their play declined in the latter months of the campaign.
The pivotal moment occurred in May 2009, when Burnley defeated Reading 3-0 overall in the play-off semifinals. Hours after the loss, Coppell announced his resignation, saying, “I feel it’s the best thing, for both the club and myself, for me to leave following our play-off exit.”
Perhaps leaving so quickly was a hasty move, and the success he was accustomed to was very different from what transpired after.
In 2010, Coppell took over as manager of Bristol City, where he signed a 12-month rolling contract. However, he left the position after just 112 days.
Coppell, who began managing football at the age of 28, announced his retirement from the position in 2010 at the age of 55, with the exception of periods in India from 2016 to 2019. However, he did briefly serve as Director of Football at Portsmouth FC and Crawley Town from 2012 to 2014.
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