Coppell set to bring in new First Team Coach?

By Mark Sugar
April 16 2004

Reading Manager Steve Coppell has hinted that ex Brentford Manager Wally Downes could become a coach at the club next season.Downes has been out of a job now for around 6 weeks after being sacked by the West London club.

Wally Downes could become a Reading coach by the start of next season according to Royals boss Steve Coppell. Wally has been helping out at the clubs training base in Sonning in recent weeks in order to give a different view to training.

The ex Brentford manager has been out of a job for around 6 weeks now after he was sacked by the West London club after a very disappointing season which saw them slip into the relegation zone. His replacement was Martin "Mad Dog" Allen, famous to Reading fans after he was sacked as Alan Pardew's number 2 in November 2002 after some bust up's with players due to his fitness regime.

But Coppell definitely said should Wally come in, he won't be replacing any members of staff. Rumours have been going around for a few weeks now that Coppell and First Team Coach Kevin Dillon has a difference of opinion in how to take the club forward. 

Coppell said however at a STAR Fans Forum last night how impressed he has been with the tight bond between the staff. The current back room staff are

Kevin Dillon (First Team Coach/Assistant Manager)

Nicky Hammond (Director of Football/Goalkeeping Coach)

Brian McDermott (Chief Scout/Reserve Team Manager)

Nas Bashir (Under 17's Coach)

Brendan Rodgers (Academy Director/Under 19's)

Niall Clark (Sports Scientist)

Jon Fearn (Physio)

Ron Grant (kit man).

Coppell and Downes know each other from their days at Brentford during which Coppell took Brentford to 3rd position in Division 2 and they were losers in a Playoff Final against Stoke City.