:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49897727/GettyImages-57498275.0.jpg)
The man that took Reading to a record breaking tally of 106 points in the 2005-06 Championship season has found a new challenge. Steve Coppell has become the new boss of Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters FC.
It's a strange career move from the 60 year old, who has not managed a team since resigning from Bristol City in 2010 after just four months in charge, saying that he would retire from football management altogether citing a lack of passion for the job. He has since held Director of Football roles at both Crawley Town and Portsmouth, but it seems his passion has been reignited as he moves to Asia.
Kerala Blasters were only formed in 2014 by ex India cricket captain Sachin Tendulkar, and finished eighth out of eight teams last season. They have only employed British managers in the past, with Coppell succeeding David James (yes, that one), Peter Taylor (ex-England caretaker boss), and Terry Phelan
Other big names to have previously managed in the Super League are David Platt, Roberto Carlos and Nicolas Anelka.
The arrival of Coppell has created a lot of 'hype' at Kerala Blasters, with owner Tendulkar seemingly overjoyed with the appointment he's made.
.@iamnagarjuna He’s also played for England at the FIFA World Cup! @KBFCofficial #yellowmeinkhelo #HeroISL
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 19 June 2016
https://t.co/2cWNyV5Ddu
He’s taken @ReadingFC to their greatest success in @premierleague and ready to repeat with @KBFCOfficial https://t.co/SWxm7gid1l
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 19 June 2016
Good luck Steve! Especially as no previous manager of the club has lasted more than five months at the helm. But I'm sure he knows that as he'll have done due diligence on the club before joining, not sunning himself in the Caribbean!