Coppell impressed by Royals restraint

Coppell's position was in doubt after the Royals went down on the final day of the season on goal difference, but he yesterday confirmed he will remain at the club for the second year of his current contract.

"I feel comfortable at Reading and I want to continue. When I do finish I want to finish on a better note," he said.

"At other clubs, there could have been a knee-jerk reaction to sack me. After we went eight games without a win, I had a conversation with director of football Nick Hammond.

"He said the club had confidence in me, which was lovely to hear, although that may have been misplaced. At any other club I would have been sacked.

"The difference in the end was just one point and there were so many times we could have nicked that point.

"I look back on the games at home to Bolton and Fulham. It wasn't just that we failed to get a single point, it was the fact that we played really poorly. The bottom line is that after 38 games we just weren't good enough.

"There will be a number of players who will be moved on or turned over, whatever the expression is for leaving. But we have to make sure we keep the core of the players who are what we are all about."

Madejski said: "I have to take responsibility as chairman and owner. Things happen when you least expect it. Now we have to cut our coat according to our cloth. There will be changes.

"Never before have I heard so much universal praise of a manager. He is a man of great transparency and honesty. Now he has a job to complete and that's getting us back into the Premier League. I do expect to win promotion straight back into the Premier League."