Next Reading Manager: Press Conference @ 9:15

[Mike Hunt]

Hello all. I'm a new user of hobnob, But have been a devoted Royal for 20 years now.

Tough decision on who the new Manager should be, I'm very much against having Di Canio though. So many reasons not to want him, but the main reason being is he's ex Manager of one of Sw***on That's nearly as bad as being openly fascist!

I'm not going to dwell on BMcD being dismissed, he was a fantastic servant to us, But the decision has been made and we have to move on from it.

I think the next Reading manager will be Adkins. And I wouldn't mind that. Southampton played fantastic football during his tenure.

BUT I think the biggest problem at Reading FC is Nick Hammond. I'd love Reading to bring in a new director of Football. Steve Coppell DOF along with Adkins as Manager.

This is just my opinion- It doesn't mean I'm right

Fuck off Newbie. And learn how to quote too.

Nice first post btw. But doesn't Hammond bring in who he is told to bring in? Apparently the money was there for BM, but he chose not to spend.

[melonhead]

"apparently"




hammond has clearly been nothing but brilliant for this club. imo

[sandman]

Can't have Advocaat unless Hiddink manages us first.

[Z175]

I'm wondering whether the best answer would be Coppell and Downes?

If this appointment is all about keeping us up then Coppell's experiences at Palace and Brighton give him a chance in a 8 game season. Moreover, Wally Downes' impact has brought instant defensive improvement at Brentford, Reading and West Ham.

I'm all for a new era but if you dispassionately assess the likes of Poyet, Adkins, Di Canio and even Parky, none are as experienced as Brian McDermott, but Coppell trumps the lot.

I dont think his credentials, or PL experience, is in doubt, when Coppell left he felt he needed a break from the game mentally, and had been too loyal to his players. Shorey is the only one of his first choices left, as Federici, Karacan and Kebe were all just breaking through in his last season so I dont think that applies anymore. And of course hes had a lot of time off.

So I think he probably follows Reading enough to have an idea of what is needed, yet has been out of the picture to have no pre-conceived bias. He'd be the first name on Hammond and Madejski's lips I'm sure, and while he wouldnt do the dirty on Brian, Dolan could hand the phone over for Brian to welcome Copps back!

I'm sure the "we should play on the floor like Barcelona" type fans want a more adventurous option, but if you want a team thats strong at the back, doesn't give the ball away and plays all out attacking football, and you want it overnight, we know who to call..

[Ian Royal]

I'm wondering whether the best answer would be Coppell and Downes?

If this appointment is all about keeping us up then Coppell's experiences at Palace and Brighton give him a chance in a 8 game season. Moreover, Wally Downes' impact has brought instant defensive improvement at Brentford, Reading and West Ham.

I'm all for a new era but if you dispassionately assess the likes of Poyet, Adkins, Di Canio and even Parky, none are as experienced as Brian McDermott, but Coppell trumps the lot.

I dont think his credentials, or PL experience, is in doubt, when Coppell left he felt he needed a break from the game mentally, and had been too loyal to his players. Shorey is the only one of his first choices left, as Federici, Karacan and Kebe were all just breaking through in his last season so I dont think that applies anymore. And of course hes had a lot of time off.

So I think he probably follows Reading enough to have an idea of what is needed, yet has been out of the picture to have no pre-conceived bias. He'd be the first name on Hammond and Madejski's lips I'm sure, and while he wouldnt do the dirty on Brian, Dolan could hand the phone over for Brian to welcome Copps back!

I'm sure the "we should play on the floor like Barcelona" type fans want a more adventurous option, but if you want a team thats strong at the back, doesn't give the ball away and plays all out attacking football, and you want it overnight, we know who to call..

It's not. Coppell back would be a terrible idea.

[bracksroyal10]

I'm wondering whether the best answer would be Coppell and Downes?

If this appointment is all about keeping us up then Coppell's experiences at Palace and Brighton give him a chance in a 8 game season. Moreover, Wally Downes' impact has brought instant defensive improvement at Brentford, Reading and West Ham.

I'm all for a new era but if you dispassionately assess the likes of Poyet, Adkins, Di Canio and even Parky, none are as experienced as Brian McDermott, but Coppell trumps the lot.

I dont think his credentials, or PL experience, is in doubt, when Coppell left he felt he needed a break from the game mentally, and had been too loyal to his players. Shorey is the only one of his first choices left, as Federici, Karacan and Kebe were all just breaking through in his last season so I dont think that applies anymore. And of course hes had a lot of time off.

So I think he probably follows Reading enough to have an idea of what is needed, yet has been out of the picture to have no pre-conceived bias. He'd be the first name on Hammond and Madejski's lips I'm sure, and while he wouldnt do the dirty on Brian, Dolan could hand the phone over for Brian to welcome Copps back!

I'm sure the "we should play on the floor like Barcelona" type fans want a more adventurous option, but if you want a team thats strong at the back, doesn't give the ball away and plays all out attacking football, and you want it overnight, we know who to call..

I'm all for this, as mentioned earlier I think Coppell has unfinished business here and obviously thinks didn't end the way everyone wanted them to at Reading. I think his appointment on a temporary basis until the end of the season would be ideal for everyone involved. We need someone who can come in straight from the off not someone who will have their ideal team and playing style ready two games later. This is simply because of the position and stage of the season we are in.

Short term I think this could work for us although I think someone with more PL experience should be appointed in the close season.

[Ian Royal]

On another thread someone said Coppell had confirmed he's not interested. So I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Badger Finger]

If Coppell did come back, I think I'd just give up and support Corby Utd or something...

[Royalwaster]

On another thread someone said Coppell had confirmed he's not interested. So I wouldn't hold your breath.

Not surprised - he would see it as being terribly disloyal to his friend McD.

[Ian Royal]

On another thread someone said Coppell had confirmed he's not interested. So I wouldn't hold your breath.

Not surprised - he would see it as being terribly disloyal to his friend McD.

[Z175]

On another thread someone said Coppell had confirmed he's not interested. So I wouldn't hold your breath.

Not surprised - he would see it as being terribly disloyal to his friend McD.

Ah well if someone said that on hna? I'll get down his parking space...
Agree thats a massive hurdle, but if we really wanted him it wouldn't take much persuasion, especially if Bria's constantly on the phone...

[72 bus]

I'm all for a new era but if you dispassionately assess the likes of Poyet, Adkins, Di Canio and even Parky, none are as experienced as Brian McDermott, but Coppell trumps the lot.

Adkins and Parkinson are way more experienced than Brian McDermott, Adkins record in particular is very impressive far better overall than Brian.
even better than Steve Coppell on win %

Brian McDermott

Slough Town
Woking
Reading 169 76 43 50 44.97

Nigel Adkins

Bangor City 116 74 18 24 63.79
Scunthorpe United 199 83 44 72 41.71
Southampton 124 67 25 32 54.03
Total 439 224 87 128 51.03

Gus Poyet

Brighton & Hove Albion
183 81 54 48 44.26
Total 183 81 54 48 44.26

Phil Parkinson

Colchester United 187 79 54 54 42.25
Hull City 24 5 6 13 20.83
Charlton Athletic 114 44 37 33 38.6
Bradford City99 99 31 34 34 31.31
Total 424 159 131 134 37.5

[sandman]

Let's see if Adkins record is as good as Coppell when he's managed 1000+ games as well.

[72 bus]

Let's see if Adkins record is as good as Coppell when he's managed 1000+ games as well.

Coppells career win percentage was not that high really at 39.98 %

Over 50% after 400 games is very good indeed.

Some comparisons:

Josep Guardiola, 196 games, 1 team, 71,94 % wins.
Jose Mourinho, 523 games, 6 teams, 68,26 % wins.
André Villas-Boas, 101 games, 3 teams, 67,33 % wins.
Louis Van Gaal, 747 games, 6 teams, 58,92 % wins.
Vicente Del Bosque, 308 games, 3 teams, 58,77 % wins.
Alex Ferguson, 2060 games, 5 teams, 57,82 % wins.
Fabio Capello, 581 games, 5 teams, 56,8 % wins.
Guus Hiddink, 687 games, 13 teams, 56,48 % wins.
Roberto Mancini, 455 games, 4 teams, 55,38 % wins.
Carlo Ancelotti, 776 games, 5 teams, 55,15 % wins.
Kenny Dalglish, 622 games, 4 teams, 54,5 % wins.
Arsene Wenger, 1297 games, 4 teams, 53,35 % wins.
Frank Rijkaard, 394 games, 5 teams, 53,05 % wins.
Rafael Benitez, 670 games, 5 teams, 52,24 % wins.
Giovanni Trapattoni, 1194 games, 11 teams, 52,06 wins.
Sven-Göran Eriksson, 905 games, 12 teams, 51,71 % wins.
Manuel Pellegrini, 444 games, 5 teams, 51,13 % wins.
Harry Redknapp, 1236 games, 5 teams, 40,45 % wins.

[Royal Lady]

On another thread someone said Coppell had confirmed he's not interested. So I wouldn't hold your breath.

Not surprised - he would see it as being terribly disloyal to his friend McD.

Why are you rolling your eyes? It's a fair comment.

I'd have Coppell back until the end of the season. He has much greater experience than Dolan for a start. But if he's definitely ruled himself out, that's that.

[LoyalRoyal22]

Royal lady .. The tactics we are trying to move on from started with Coppell, would be a terrible choice for manager.

[Norfolk Royal]

This thread has jumped the shark if people are seriously discussing Coppell coming back.

[Divvy]

Royal lady .. The tactics we are trying to move on from started with Coppell, would be a terrible choice for manager.

Sorry what? Under Coppell we got promoted and stayed up by playing bloody good football. We had a holding midfielder and a creative midfielder, plus we exposed sides with quality wing play with supporting wing-backs. McDermott's football is nowhere near as good. It's far more workman like, and more direct, making up for a lack of quality in midfield. In fact the two teams cannot be further apart.

[Libertine]

Let's see if Adkins record is as good as Coppell when he's managed 1000+ games as well.

Coppells career win percentage was not that high really at 39.98 %

Over 50% after 400 games is very good indeed.

Some comparisons:

Josep Guardiola, 196 games, 1 team, 71,94 % wins.
Jose Mourinho, 523 games, 6 teams, 68,26 % wins.
André Villas-Boas, 101 games, 3 teams, 67,33 % wins.
Louis Van Gaal, 747 games, 6 teams, 58,92 % wins.
Vicente Del Bosque, 308 games, 3 teams, 58,77 % wins.
Alex Ferguson, 2060 games, 5 teams, 57,82 % wins.
Fabio Capello, 581 games, 5 teams, 56,8 % wins.
Guus Hiddink, 687 games, 13 teams, 56,48 % wins.
Roberto Mancini, 455 games, 4 teams, 55,38 % wins.
Carlo Ancelotti, 776 games, 5 teams, 55,15 % wins.
Kenny Dalglish, 622 games, 4 teams, 54,5 % wins.
Arsene Wenger, 1297 games, 4 teams, 53,35 % wins.
Frank Rijkaard, 394 games, 5 teams, 53,05 % wins.
Rafael Benitez, 670 games, 5 teams, 52,24 % wins.
Giovanni Trapattoni, 1194 games, 11 teams, 52,06 wins.
Sven-Göran Eriksson, 905 games, 12 teams, 51,71 % wins.
Manuel Pellegrini, 444 games, 5 teams, 51,13 % wins.
Harry Redknapp, 1236 games, 5 teams, 40,45 % wins.

There ya go...we should target Trap and in doing so open up the manager's position for Ireland for Brian, he did say he always dreamt of the job. Win-win...

[Millsy]

Why is everyone talking about win percentages when it's the sum of draw+loss percentages that's tells us more?