Robbie Keane yesterday questioned Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sack Glenn Hoddle

Robbie Keane yesterday questioned Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sack Glenn Hoddle, claiming they had simply not given him enough time. Carl Robinson or Gary Speed may come in to midfield, with David Vaughan or Darren Barnard playing at left-back.Scotland’s preparations for their must-win game against Lithuania at Hampden Park have also been hit by injuries, with Paul Lambert, Steven Thompson and Neil McCann all out. “I have worked with 10 or 11 different sets of backroom staff during my time in football and never had a problem with any of them,” he said.The Reading chairman, John Madejski, apologised for the delay in appointing Coppell. “When I first approached the Brighton chairman, Dick Knight, they had a clutch of games coming up and he did not want Steve distracted,” he said. “Then when the time came that we could talk to Steve we had to negotiate the contract We are delighted we have got him We have finally got our man.”. It’s such a good club, so I have mixed emotions.”The former Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Brentford manager confirmed he will retain all Reading’s existing backroom staff. I signed him from non-league football so we have a relationship that goes back a long way.”Reading have managed one win in six league games since Pardew left but Coppell hopes his opening three fixtures, which are all at home against Gillingham, Preston and Walsall, will see a change in fortunes.”That looks good but that can bring its own pressures.

Coppell, who took over at Brighton last October following the sacking of Martin Hinshelwood, has signed a contract until the end of the 2004-2005 season.”I am excited by the prospect of taking Reading forward, but anxious about the responsibility,” he said “I am also sad to leave Brighton. You could say they hit the post and it bounced out.”The club is set up for the Premiership with a superb stadium and infrastructure,” he added. “I knew about the situation at Reading because Alan Pardew is a good footballing friend of mine He still is. The Seagulls would also like to speak to Paul Merson, but Gray may be a cheaper option than the Walsall midfielder.After being unveiled at the Madejski Stadium as Reading’s new manager, Coppell said he has joined a club that is “set up for the Premiership”. The Royals were beaten by Wolves in last season’s First Division play-off semi-finals and before Pardew’s controversial exit were second in the table.”I can’t guarantee success, and the supporters will need patience,” Coppell warned “The clich?are true, it really is one game at a time This is a tough division because of the prize at the end Reading came so close to the Premiership last season. Brighton have identified Stuart Gray as their first-choice to succeed Steve Coppell, who has finally decided to take the manager’s job at Reading

Brighton have identified Stuart Gray as their first-choice to succeed Steve Coppell, who has finally decided to take the manager’s job at Reading
Coppell has ended prolonged speculation over his future by leaving the Second Division leaders to fill the vacancy at Reading created by Alan Pardew’s decision to join West Ham last month.Gray, who briefly managed Southampton two years ago and also has coaching experience with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, has already been in contact with the Brighton chairman, Dick Knight.

The FA have to be allowed to run the game.Sir Geoff HurstEnglish football today is in a state of near collapse. How the rest of the world must be laughing their socks off at us. Players, the FA and clubs have all got to take a share of the blame .. The FA’s stance has come too late They lost control long ago.Daily Star. The past fortnight’s events make this assessment incontrovertible.The Times[Wednesday] should be regarded not as the end of an unfortunate incident but the start of a long haul to drag British football kicking and screaming into a more civilised world.

There never were any golden days of pristine behaviour, except to the extent that, 30 years ago, players did not have the money to commit such excesses and if they did, a less vigilant media might have let them off.The GuardianYou can’t have the tail wagging the dog. Today self comes first and country a poor second.The SunThe players are going to feel really angry that it has come to this. are saying that we can’t have this.Mark Perryman, of the official England Supporters’ AssociationWho did they think they were? How dare they threaten not to board the plane for Turkey? They were too big for their flashy boots Their mad mutiny would have driven fans to despair … The millions who love football for its excitement and spectacle can no longer escape the rottenness within …