Man City Square
Fansided

Manchester City on this day: Coppell resigns day 33.

By Jason Bardwell

12 Oct 1996: Steve Coppell (second-right) feels the pressure at being back in the spotlight as Manchester City manager during the Nationwide division one match between QPR and Manchester City at Loftus Road in London. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Mandatory Credit: Allsport
12 Oct 1996: Steve Coppell (second-right) feels the pressure at being back in the spotlight as Manchester City manager during the Nationwide division one match between QPR and Manchester City at Loftus Road in London. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /
facebooktwitterreddit

It was barely two decades ago, and Manchester City were on a downward spiral. Yes, we had finally removed Chairman Peter Swales from power but, with Francis Lee now in charge, were we any better?

Of course Francis Lee had removed Brian Horton after he had guided the side to 17th in the Premier League. In hindsight, maybe we should have given him more time, but we didn’t and Alan Ball took the top job.

Relegated the next season, winning only nine of the thirty-eight games, he was also let go. Keith Curle and Niall Quinn would depart and City would look to bounce straight back at the first attempt. It was now a case of trying to find the right man to do that.

On the 7th October, ex Manchester United player, Steve Coppell joined. Leaving Crystal Palace for the Blues he had gained quite the reputation. Signing Ian Wright from Non-League football and guiding Palace to an FA Cup Final in 1990.

May 1990: Nigel Martyn of Crystal Palace makes a great save during the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport
May 1990: Nigel Martyn of Crystal Palace makes a great save during the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport /

Taking United to a replay in that Cup Final before losing in the replay, Coppell departed in 1993, only to return in 1995.

His second spell only lasted a season before Francis Lee nabbed him for the City hot seat.

"“I want to be here for a long time.”"

Was the statement of assurance Coppell gave City fans. After the ups and downs of recent seasons at least City could now have some stability, and could start the rebuild.

History would dictate us long-suffering City fans would have to wait for another two seasons, and the arrival of another Liverpudlian, Joe Royle for that. Coppell’s reign would be the shortest of any permanent City manager. In fact the two caretaker managers, before and after Coppell, were in the job longer.

Six games in total, four away and two at home, proved too much for the ex United player. Ian Brightwell and a Georgi Kinkladze penalty saw us tie his first game, away to QPR. His future charges, Reading, beat us 2-0 before our first Maine Road game.

More from Man City Square

Goals from Nigel Clough and Paul Dickov gave us a 2-1 victory over Norwich City. All three of those games happening within a week of each other, and only twelve after his appointment. Maybe this was what he found overwhelming.

Eight days later, a home defeat to a play-off bound Wolverhampton Wanderers was followed by an away day win at Southend. 3-2 win with Kinkladze converting two penalties and a Uwe Rosler strike.

November 2nd was another away game, and another defeat, this time to Swindon Town. That would be the final game Coppell would be in charge, leaving us on this day twenty-one years ago today. Seven points from six games, scoring seven and conceding ten.

Next: City Key New Signing

Citing that the pressure of the job being the reason he had to leave, he instantly returned to Palace as a scout. When Dave Bassett resigned as manager, he took charge for a third time. The kicker for City fans? He guided them to Promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs that very season.