Steve Coppell (born July 9, 1955 in Liverpool) is a former English football player and current manager of Reading F.C..

Playing career

Coppell was a winger who was purchased from Tranmere Rovers by Manchester United in 1972. From 1977 to 1981, Steve appeared in 207 consecutive matches, a club record. He helped the club to the 1977 F.A. Cup win. He was forced to retire due to injury in 1983, after appearing in 373 games and scoring 70 goals.

Managerial career

Coppell was appointed manager of Crystal Palace in 1984. He led Palace to promotion to the top flight in 1989, and in the following season guided them to the 1990 F.A. Cup final, where he lost to his old club, Manchester United. In the 1990-91 season, he helped Palace achieve their highest ever league finish of third place. Coppell resigned in 1993, following relegation from the newly formed Premier League. He returned to Palace on three subsequent occasions, but failed to match the success of his first spell.

In 1996, Coppell had a controversial spell as manager of Manchester City, where he resigned after just 33 days, citing ill health. He has also managed Brentford and Brighton. As of 2005, he is managing Reading F.C..