City Chat: Coppell is my choice to be the next boss (From Gazette Series)

Bristol City fans’ panel by Will Collins

11:39am Thursday 1st April 2010 in Sport

The big question City fans are asking themselves at the moment is; should Keith Millen be seriously considered as a contender for thge vacant managerial post at Ashton Gate?

A couple of weeks ago many City fans were calling for Millen (then City’s number two) to follow Gary Johnson out the door. But three games and seven points later, we’re finding out that maybe Millen has more to offer than most of us thought. Certainly, City are playing with a renewed confidence and vigour and the team also showed good resiliance in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Peterborough United.

However, personally I would still be disappointed if Millen was given the job permanently. I think City have come to a crossroads in The Championship and we need to see some big changes in the playing staff and a new direction tactically. Millen will never be able to shake off his association with Johnson and I feel he is too ‘pally’ with the players, as demonstrated earlier in the week when captain Louis Carey kept referring to him as ‘Milly’ in an interview.

The new man at City should be able to come in with fresh ideas and given the tail end of this season and a full summer with the squad and new additions to make sure we are meticulously well prepared for the 2010/11 season. Millen is a very highly rated coach and I hope he remains a part of the new man’s set up. Chairman Steve Lansdown has given Millen four more games to prove his credentials, however I suspect deep down Lansdown only has his eyes set on a manager coming in from the outside and is actively speaking with potential candidates already.

Typically in these types of situations the rumour mill is going into overdrive. It is interesting that the bookmakers seem to be taking a lot of money on three managers; Alan Curbishley, Steve Coppell and Sean O’ Driscoll. Currently Coppell is 2-1 favourite with one online bookie. A couple of other names to throw in the mix are Tony Mowbray and George Burley who has been strongly rumoured to have applied for the job.

Personally I would love Steve Coppell to come to City, but remain sceptical that he or indeed the likes of Alan Curbishley could be persuaded to join us. Indeed, if they do need any kind of persuading then they are best left alone in my view.

Sean O’ Driscoll, the current Doncaster Rovers manager plays football the right way and could be tempted to join a bigger club. And what of the recently departed Celtic manager Tony Mowbray? His brand of football would be a hit at the Gate and he knows how to get a team promoted from The Champiosnhip. Rather you than me Mr Lansdown!

Do you agree with Will’s views? Have your say below.