Last Updated: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:18
Steve Coppell has been given time to consider his future as boss of relegated Reading, according to director of football Nick Hammond.
The current Royals manager still has a year remaining on his current deal at the Madejski Stadium, but it was thought he would step down following the club's failure to secure a third season in the Premier League. However, rather than let him make any rash decisions in the heat of the moment following relegation, Hammond says they have given Coppell the time to think about what he would like to do.
He told the Evening Post: "I had a very clear meeting with him and now we need to spend a bit of time to digest and reflect on what has happened. He and I will continue to talk and I will keep in contact with the chairman.
"Of course we are disappointed with what has happened, but there is nothing we can do about it now."
Chairman John Madejski has not absolved Coppell of any blame for the poor campaign, but he is hoping that the manager stays put.
He said: "Everyone is culpable, including myself and the players. But we definitely want him to stay and we will be doing everything we can to keep him."