coppell_steve
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| Name: Stephen "Steve" James Coppell |
Nationality: England |
| Position: forward |
Signing Information: Transferred from: Tranmere Rovers, 12/1972, £60,000 |
| Birthdate: 09-07-1955 |
Years at Club: 1974-1983 |
| Age: (69) |
Debut: 01/03/1975 v Cardiff City (H) 4-0 (League Division Two) |
| Birthplace: Norris Green, Liverpool, England |
Previous clubs: Tranmere Rovers |
| Height: 5' 6" (1.68m) |
Farewell to Manchester United: Retired due to injury 10/1983 |
| Weight: 10st 2lbs (64.41kg) |
Passed Away: |
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Steve Coppell is a former English footballer best known for his time as a winger at Manchester United during the 1970s and early 1980s. Known for his pace, work ethic, and accurate crossing, Coppell was a key figure for United under Tommy Docherty and later Dave Sexton. His performances earned him numerous England caps, and despite a career-ending injury at the age of 28, Coppell is regarded as one of the club’s finest wingers. He later transitioned into a successful managerial career, managing clubs in England and India.
Early Career at Tranmere Rovers
Born in Liverpool, Coppell began his professional career at Tranmere Rovers in 1973, where he quickly impressed with his pace and dribbling ability. His performances on the wing for Tranmere attracted the attention of bigger clubs, and in 1975, Manchester United made a move for the talented winger.
Move to Manchester United (1975–1983)
In 1975, Manchester United signed Steve Coppell for a fee of £60,000, and he quickly became an integral part of the team’s attack. Coppell was known for his blistering pace down the right wing, his ability to beat defenders, and his accurate crossing that set up countless goals for United’s forwards.
Key Achievements at Manchester United:
1977 FA Cup Victory: Coppell’s most notable success at Manchester United came in 1977 when he played a key role in United’s FA Cup final victory over Liverpool. United won the final 2-1, preventing Liverpool from completing a historic treble that year. Coppell’s pace and attacking threat on the wing were instrumental in United’s cup run.
Consistent Performances: Over his time at United, Coppell became a fan favorite due to his relentless work ethic and consistency. Despite not being the most flamboyant player, he was highly reliable, making over 373 appearances and scoring 70 goals for the club during his eight years at Old Trafford.
Iron Man Reputation: Coppell was known for his durability and consistency, often referred to as an "iron man" for his ability to play every match. He set a club record by appearing in 207 consecutive matches for Manchester United, a testament to his fitness and dedication.
Playing Style: Fast, Hard-Working, and Dependable
Coppell was known for his blistering pace and tireless work rate down the right wing. He had an exceptional ability to beat defenders and deliver accurate crosses into the box, making him a key provider of assists. Coppell’s game was built around simplicity, focusing on hard work, efficiency, and consistency, which made him a favorite of fans and managers alike. While not the flashiest player, his reliability and commitment were second to none.
International Career with England
Coppell earned 42 caps for England, representing his country between 1977 and 1983. He played in the 1980 UEFA European Championship and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, becoming a regular starter for the national team during a successful period in his career. Despite his early retirement due to injury, Coppell was considered one of England’s finest wingers of his era.
Career-Ending Injury and Retirement
In 1981, Coppell suffered a serious knee injury while playing for England, which significantly affected his career. Despite multiple surgeries and attempts to return to full fitness, the injury forced him to retire in 1983 at the age of 28. His early retirement cut short what was otherwise an exceptional career, but Coppell’s contributions to Manchester United during his playing days left a lasting legacy.
Managerial Career
After retiring from playing, Coppell transitioned into management, where he enjoyed significant success. His managerial career saw him take charge of several clubs, most notably Crystal Palace, Reading, and Brighton & Hove Albion. Coppell was known for his tactical intelligence and calm demeanor on the touchline.
Notable Managerial Roles:
Crystal Palace: Coppell’s greatest managerial success came with Crystal Palace, where he led the club to promotion to the First Division in 1989 and guided them to an FA Cup final in 1990, where they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United in a replay.
Reading: Coppell managed Reading to a record-breaking promotion to the Premier League in 2006, securing 106 points in the Championship, the highest total ever achieved in a professional English league season.
Kerala Blasters (India): Coppell also managed in the Indian Super League, taking charge of Kerala Blasters in 2016, where he led the team to the final in his debut season.
Legacy
Steve Coppell is remembered as one of Manchester United’s most reliable and hard-working wingers during the 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his career being cut short by injury, Coppell made a significant impact on the club, helping United win the 1977 FA Cup and becoming a regular starter for both his club and country. His post-playing career as a successful manager has further solidified his reputation as one of English football’s most respected figures.
Summary
Steve Coppell was a fast and industrious winger who made 373 appearances for Manchester United between 1975 and 1983, playing a key role in the club’s 1977 FA Cup victory. Known for his pace, crossing ability, and incredible consistency, Coppell also earned 42 caps for England before retiring at the age of 28 due to injury. After retiring, Coppell transitioned into a successful managerial career, managing clubs like Crystal Palace and Reading. |
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| League |
League Cup |
FA Cup |
Charity Shield |
European Cup |
Europa League |
Super Cup |
Cup Winners Cup |
Inter-Continental Cup |
World Clubs Cup |
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| No |
Season |
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Season
Goals |
Season
Apps |
| 1 |
1974-1975 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
| 2 |
1975-1976 |
4 |
39 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
49 |
| 3 |
1976-1977 |
6 |
40 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
56 |
| 4 |
1977-1978 |
5 |
42 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
52 |
| 5 |
1978-1979 |
11 |
42 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
53 |
| 6 |
1979-1980 |
8 |
42 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
46 |
| 7 |
1980-1981 |
6 |
42 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
49 |
| 8 |
1981-1982 |
9 |
36 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
38 |
| 9 |
1982-1983 |
4 |
29 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
43 |
| TOTALS |
54 |
322 |
9 |
25 |
4 |
36 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
70 |
396 |
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