Coppell not drawn on future

Reading boss will take time to reflect on relegation

Last updated: 11th May 2008

Coppell not drawn on future

Coppell: Relegated

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Steve Coppell would not be drawn on his future after Reading were relegated from the Premier League despite thumping Derby 4-0 at Pride Park.

The Royals looked like they were staying up for most of the afternoon but a late 1-0 win for Fulham over Portsmouth meant they were relegated to the Championship on goal difference.

It had looked so promising for Reading at first, with James Harper opening the scoring on 15 minutes with a fantastic strike into the top right hand corner.

Three second-half goals from Dave Kitson (61) Kevin Doyle (69) and Leroy Lita (91) then put the issue beyond doubt.

Despite the three points, Reading were down and Coppell would not be drawn on his future, preferring to have more time to reflect on the situation.

Pain

He told Sky Sports: "I can't say anything to be honest. I don't think it's a time for reflecting on anybody's situation.

"We need just a few days I think to let the pain settle in and then you've got to re-set your goals and ambitions."

Coppell admitted the club have had a meeting at the end of every season he has been there to assess what has happened.

He added: "I am sure that will happen and we will draw our own conclusions from the season and decide where we go from here.

Difficult time

"It is a difficult time for me, a difficult time for the players. The dressing room at the moment is very, very crowded but it is a lonely place there.

"The players have got to let it sink in, we've got to let it sink in. Then we can make some cold decisions which is what's needed at the moment."

Coppell admitted that he felt like he had let chairman John Madejski down, who has put so much into the club since taking over in 1990.

He said: "I do feel as if I have let him and the club down to a certain extent because I don't feel we should have been in this position."