All change at Brighton

Steve Coppell
By Paul Holmes
October 8 2002

Steve Coppell has taken over as first-team manager at Brighton with Martin Hinshelwood moving upstairs as Director of Football.

Coppell has been at Swindon in the past few weeks as assistant to Andy King following his departure from Brentford in the summer.

Brighton appointed Hinshelwood in the summer following the resignation of Peter Taylor, the Seagulls are bottom of the division.

Brighton chairman Dick Knight issued a statement which read:"Nobody set Martin any deadlines.

"But the poor run of results has had a destabilising effect on key players, which needs to rectify quickly if we are to stand a chance of survival in Division One.

"We have 34 league games left to play, which means we need something like 1.5 points per game to survive.

"Therefore the board felt we had to act before the situation becomes irretrievable.

"We are sorry that it has not worked out for Martin.

"Much has been made of the playing budget available to him.

"But the fact is that in this new era of financial reality in football, the increased playing budget we allocated this season to the playing side is not the smallest in Division One."

"Steve Coppell will bring a level of experience we feel is vital at this time.

"I have made him fully aware that no increase in the playing budget will suddenly be made available.

"But he understands the club's position as I interviewed him for the job in the summer and he is now eager to get started.

"Steve and the board were also unanimous that I should ask Bob Booker to remain as assistant manager."