Coppell rejects a Republic move...for now

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• More Reading news

The Reading manager was the preferred choice of the FAI's three-man committee, comprising former international midfielder Ray Houghton, Under 21 manager Don Givens and former England coach Don Howe, who have been searching for a replacement since Steve Staunton was sacked after the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Coppell, 52, had emerged as a contender in October after revealing in a TV interview that he would be interested in managing at international level. He also claimed to 'qualify' for the Ireland post because his grandmother was Irish.

But the Barclays Premier League boss insisted on Thursday that he had no plans to leave the Madejski Stadium.

'The Irish granny,' mused Coppell. 'I knew she would come in handy. I have a contract here and I'm happy here, so I wouldn't even contemplate it.

'If I was out of work then I would be, but I've got a contract so it's way outside the realms of possibility.'

Coppell did, however, admit he had met Givens in the past week but claimed he had not been approached about the job.

He said: 'It would be wrong for me to say anything because Don Givens was here the other week, but that was in a coaching capacity for his badge.

'I've had contact with Don but we only had a cup of tea. I haven't been interviewed for the job.'

Lens midfielder Jimmy Kebe could become Reading's second signing of the transfer window, following the £1million signing of Czech midfielder Marek Matejovsky.

French-born Mali international Kebe, who turns 24 on Saturday, is on loan at French second division side Boulogne.

Coppell said: 'He's someone we have made an enquiry about but I'm not going to do my business in public.'

Poland international Wojciech Kowalewski has begun a week's trial at Reading. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who played in the Champions League last season for Spartak Moscow, is a free agent.