Steve Coppell: Man Utd Legend, Finding Ian Wright, Palace Stories & Reading Record Breaker

In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by former Crystal Palace and Reading boss Steve Coppell. Steve reflects on his early beginnings, watching Liverpool from The Boys’ Pen, and his determination to make it as a young player. He recalls balancing a promising career at Tranmere Rovers with studying for an economics degree, before revealing what happened when Manchester United came calling. Steve also discusses his transition into management after injury brought his playing career to an early end, and how a chance meeting with Ron Noades led to his appointment at Crystal Palace. The conversation revisits his time at Selhurst Park, where he discovered Ian Wright and partnered him with Mark Bright to form one of English football’s most prolific strike partnerships. Plus, Steve looks back on his record-breaking Reading side, who stormed to the Championship title in 2006 with a staggering 106 points. 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Early beginnings & Liverpool love 07:30 - Joining Manchester United 16:45 - Injury was like a ‘firework’ 23:20 - Taking over at Crystal Palace 32:18 - Signing Ian Wright 37:31 - Wright and Bright 42:01 - Record-breaking Reading 46:20 - Wally Downes stories 49:59 - Reading record & Premier League 57:53 - Do you miss management? Twitter: themanagerspod Instagram: themanagerspodcast TikTok: themanagerspodcast For sales and advertising enquiries you can email: hello@itspoppop.com #football #transfers #mufc #manutd #manchesterunited #manunited #liverpool #lfc #cpfc #crystalpalace #palace #reading #readingfc #rfc #ian #wright #epl #premierleague #efl #championship #footballleague #englishfootball #england #englishfootballleague #managers