Football: Bristol City announce shock resignation of Steve Coppell (From Gazette Series)

Keith Millen named new Bristol City boss after Steve Coppell retires from management

12:01pm Thursday 12th August 2010 in Sport

STEVE COPPELL has resigned as Bristol City manager after just two games in charge – with Keith Millen replacing him at the helm.

The shock announcement was made this morning with 55-year-old Coppell retiring from football management and admitting he could not become "passionate about the role" at the Championship club.

Millen has been appointed the new boss on a three-year contract following a successful spell as caretaker manager at the end of last season following the departure of Gary Johnson.

Coppell’s short, yet eventful, reign saw City sign England goalkeeper David James, lose 3-0 at home to newly promoted Millwall in the opening game of the season and exit the Carling Cup at the first stage to cash-strapped League Two side Southend United.

In a statement through the League Managers Association, Coppell said: "It is with the deepest regret that I confirm my departure from Bristol City.

"I have made my decision after very careful consideration and I believe that it is in the best interests of both the club and me personally that we go our separate ways. "Bristol City is an excellent club, with brilliant support and a chairman with great ambition for the club’s future. Whilst I was looking forward to the challenge of leading the players in this season’s campaign, unfortunately, it has become clear over recent weeks, that I found I could not, for whatever reason, become passionate about the role and give the commitment the position demands.

"I appreciate that the timing of my departure is not ideal, but I believe it is best for the club to appoint Keith Millen, who has a deep knowledge of the club and the squad, at this stage of the season.

"I am retiring from football management but still feel I have a contribution to make to the game sometime in the future. I would like to sincerely thank the chairman and the board for their understanding and I wish the club and its supporters every success."

Chairman Steve Lansdown said: "Steve’s prestigious career as a player, coupled with his experiences and successes as a manager are in no doubt. His footballing pedigree made him our prime target to manage the club early this year.

"It is disappointing for any club to part company with its manager at this stage of the season. However, we respect Steve’s decision, one that allows us the opportunity to appoint his successor and give that individual the full season to work with the squad."

"We’re delighted to appoint Keith into the role with immediate effect.

"This was not a difficult decision. He’s managed the team on previous occasions, he understands the football club and has great affection and ambition for it.

"I always expected Keith to become a manager one day and now he has the opportunity at Bristol City FC. I look forward to working with him and helping him succeed."

Millen said: "I’m excited but I’m still getting over the shock really.

"I knew I wanted to do the job and last season I enjoyed it. For certain reasons I decided to step aside from it and I was looking forward to working with Steve.

"I did enjoy working with him and we are still friends. We met last night, when he told me the news. He apologised for leaving me in this situation.

"You have to be your own man and go with your decisions. The players know, certainly from last year, how I like things working.

"I know Bristol City fans like to see entertaining football; I’ve been here long enough to know what their expectations are. I’ve got high expectations as well.

"I’ll be looking to bring an assistant in and that’s going to be an important appointment.

"I’m not going to come in here talking promotion and play-offs, I’m concentrating on doing my best for Bristol City Football Club.

"We need to concentrate on getting players fit again, bringing in some new faces and prepare correctly for Saturday’s match at Doncaster."