Features

Steve Coppell has resigned after five-and-a-half-years managing Reading FC. Witnessing his career with the Royals from start to finish is BBC Berkshire sports editor Tim Dellor.

Listen to his four-minute audio documentary that takes a look at some of Steve's highlights and his recent play-off despair:

Chairman Sir John Madejski issued a statement on Wednesday 13 May: "I am very disappointed to confirm that Steve has decided to step aside as our manager, but I respect his wishes.

"I would like to thank Steve sincerely for everything he has done for Reading over the last five and a half years, which has been the most successful period in the Club's history."

Coppell is joint fifth in the list of Reading's longest serving managers, spending a total of six seasons at the Madejski Stadium. Coppell was also the fifth longest serving manager in Britain and recently passed the landmark of 1000 games in club management.

He was without doubt the most successful manager in the clubs long history... presiding over the best three finishes in the 138 years of the football club.

The highlight was unquestionably the 2005/06 season where Coppell guided Reading to the Premier League for the first time in their history, clinching the Championship title along the way and amassing a record-breaking 106 points.

The club's promotion that year was also a record for the earliest ever for any club to reach the Premier League.

In Reading's first season ever in the top-flight, Coppell oversaw a successful campaign, twice winning the Manager of the Month award.

The Royals finished that season just one place outside the UEFA Cup qualification spots, and Steve was again given the LMA manager of the season.

Unfortunately the next season did not go to plan and Reading were relegated on the final day of the season despite a 4-0 win at Derby.

Steve's final season in charge ended last night and brought the curtain down on undoubtedly the most successful period in the club's history.

He's one of the shrewdest, most academic, affable managers in English football respected throughout the game and he will be sadly missed.