Coppell doesn't blame Madejski

Boss insists owner's announcement played no part in relegation

Last updated: 27th May 2008

Steve Coppell Reading Premier League Football Derby County

Coppell: Looking to bounce back

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Manager Steve Coppell does not believe owner John Madejski's decision to announce that he was willing to sell Reading played a part in the club's relegation.

Madejski confirmed during the season that he would be happy to hand over the reigns so long as the club identified a suitable buyer.

His announcement was eventually followed by The Royals' relegation on the final day of the 2007/08 Premier League term.

But Coppell admits it was a case of his side not performing over the season, rather than Madejski's announcement, that resulted in their demotion.

"You look at how a lot of Premier League clubs are run now. They are run by people who had probably never even heard of the club they now own when they were growing up as kids," Coppell told the Evening Post.

Problematic

"The game has changed and it is proving problematic. My chairman made it known he is interested in selling the club and maybe in time someone will come in and take over the club who has never heard of it.

"Him making it known he was interested in selling, though, has not been a problem. We went down because we were not good enough.

"I suppose I have had time to take it in now. Obviously I am not happy about it, but it's part of football to fall on stony ground. To go down on goal difference, though, is a real blow."