Steve Coppell

Early days

Coppell attended Quarry Bank High School in south Liverpool, where musician John Lennon, footballer Joe Royle, and writer and filmmaker Clive Barker had previously been pupils. Just one year ahead of Coppell were Les Dennis and Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the FA from January 2005 until the end of 2008. Coppell was a nippy, incisive wide player in his youth but despite interest from some top clubs, he chose to join lower league Merseyside club Tranmere Rovers as he wanted to study for a degree in economic history at the University of Liverpool. By 1974, Coppell was playing for Tranmere, studying for his degree and coaching the university team. But in 1975 his life changed when Manchester United made an offer of £60000 for him. His prospective new club instantly offered to double his wage and Coppell signed. Coppell was able to complete his degree while playing on the right wing for Manchester United, making his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 win over Cardiff City on 1 March 1975, as his new club stormed back to the First Division after a season in the Second. Coppell ended that season with ten games and one goal. The following season, Coppell played 39 times and scored ten goals, one of which was at the Kop end of his boyhood club Liverpool's Anfield ground. He also won honours for the England under-23 team. The young Manchester United team put together by manager Tommy Docherty progressed in the First Division and reached the 1976 FA Cup Final,…

Crystal Palace (first spell; 1984–1993)

In June 1984, Coppell became manager of Crystal Palace. Aged just 28 years and 10 months upon his appointment, he became one of the youngest men to ever manage a club in the Football League. Coppell made budget signings of unwanted players from the First Division, as well as signing Ian Wright from non-league football. The club's fortunes greatly improved, and Palace won promotion to the top flight through the play-offs in 1989. Palace reached the FA Cup final in 1990, losing to Manchester United in a replay, after Coppell's inspired substitution of bringing on Ian Wright nearly won the first game for Palace. Their semi-final victory over Liverpool helped make up for the horrific 9–0 drubbing that they had received in a league match at Anfield early in the season. The following season, Crystal Palace finished in third place in the top flight (their highest ever league finish) and won the Full Members Cup. The club's fortunes declined after that, and in May 1993, Coppell resigned after they were relegated from the Premier League. However, his name was linked with the England national coach's job six months later when Graham Taylor resigned, but he swiftly ruled out any interest in the job. In May 1994, he was also linked with the manager's job at Middlesbrough, but the job went to his former Manchester United teammate Bryan Robson instead.

Crystal Palace (second spell; 1995–1996)

Coppell returned to Palace in June 1995…

International

Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Coppell goal.

As a player

Manchester United

FA Cup: 1976–77; runner-up: 1975–76, 1978–79 FA Charity Shield: 1977

As a manager

Reading

Football League Championship: 2005–06 Crystal Palace

Football League Second Division play-offs: 1989 Football League First Division play-offs: 1997 Full Members' Cup: 1990–91 FA Cup runner-up: 1989–90 Individual

Premier League Manager of the Month: September 2006, November 2006 Football League Championship Manager of the Month: December 2008 Inducted into LMA Hall of Fame 1000 Club: 2008 Football League Championship Manager of the Year: March 2006 LMA Manager of the Year: 2006, 2007 Football League Championship Manager of the Month: October 2005, November 2005 Football League Second Division Manager of the Month: October 2001