The Man Who DOESN'T Want European Football!

Last updated : 19 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Well ... there's one Premiership manager who doesn't want to be involved in Europe.

Reading manager Steve Coppell is convinced he was spot on last season when he warned of the pitfalls of qualifying for Europe.

The Royals travel to Blackburn on Saturday in a repeat of their final Premier League fixture of last season - a 3-3 draw that saw the top-flight newcomers fall just a single goal shortof a place in the UEFA Cup.

For weeks before that, however, Coppell had been adamant he did not want extra fixtures for this term as he feared the second season would prove much tougher than the first.

Coppell: "The last time we went to Blackburn, it was a terrific game that epitomised what we were about - we were behind three times and came back three times.

"It was a really entertaining fixture but my agenda had been set before then anyway.

"And my thoughts on European qualification would have been proved true by now. I had said before I wasn't bothered about Europe and literally I wasn't.

"I was delighted we were where we were - we had made history for the club and that was enough. I'm never one to be greedy."