Coppell's Praise for Weekend Rival

Steve Coppell has shown his respect to his counterpart for this coming weekend, Manchester City's Sven Goran Eriksson.

Coppell feels that England's failure to qualify for the European Championships highlights what a good job Eriksson did for England, even if he was not always credited as doing so, and he even thinks that he would be the man for the job now, had he already not been there, "Sven has shown what a terrific manager he is," Coppell told readingfc.co.uk. "It is ironic at this particular moment in time after his history within the English game.

"If he had not already been England manager he would have been the perfect candidate. He has all the credentials you are looking for. He has performed at European level to the highest level and still has a real appetite for the game.

"Just because he doesn't jump up and down on the touchline doesn't mean he has no passion. His team shows his passion. He doesn't have to do anything on the touchline and that's a sign of good management."

Good England manager or not, Eriksson is up with the best in club management standards, and he will make Manchester City a tough prospect for Reading on Saturday.

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