Bristol City

The former Reading, Crystal Palace and Manchester City manager only took over at Ashton Gate in April but has decided to walk away from the Championship club after a disappointing start to the season.

The Robins were humbled 3-0 by newly promoted Millwall on the opening day of the season before being embarrassed by League Two outfit Southend in the Carling Cup, losing 3-2 to the Shrimpers.

The Robins (23/10 v Doncaster- 90 minutes) were one of the pre-season favourites to gain promotion having appointed Coppell, who has a great deal of experience getting sides promoted to the Premier League.

City’s hopes of reaching the top flight were given a further boost after they signed England international goalkeeper David James on a free transfer.

However, despite the big build-up Bristol City’s season has been undone before it has even got going following Coppell’s announcement.

The 55-year-old hasn’t given a specific reason as to why he has left Ashton Gate but did confirm that he was retiring from football management.

He said in a statement released through the League Managers’ Association: “It is with the deepest regret that I confirm my departure from Bristol City. I have made my decision after very careful consideration and I believe that it is in the best interests of both the club and me personally that we go our separate ways.

“I appreciate that the timing of my departure is not ideal, but I believe it is best for the club to appoint a new manager or indeed appoint Keith Millen, who has a deep knowledge of the club and the squad, at this stage of the season.

“I am retiring from football management but still feel I have a contribution to make to the game sometime in the future. I would like to sincerely thank the chairman and the board for their understanding and I wish the club and its supporters every success.”

Bristol City (6/1 – to be promoted) chairman Steve Lansdown has now been forced to turn to Millen, who acted as caretaker manager for much of last season following the sacking of Gary Johnson.

Millen, who applied to become the permanent manager at the end of last season, has been given a three-year contract having done well during his time in charge last season.

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Santa Cruz beat keeper Ri Myong Guk after the referee ruled substitute Nam Song Chol had handled the ball in the area.

Paraguay hit the post twice in a seven-minute spell midway through the second half.

Choe Kum Chol had North Korea’s best chance in the 35th but lifted his shot over the bar.

North Korea (12/1 to qualify from Group G) were without Japan-based An Yong Hak and Jong Tae Se who had not been released by their clubs.
Santa Cruz, who had looked off the pace for most of the match, stroked his shot high into the net to settle the match.

Marcelo Estigarribia and Eduardo Ledesma hit the post for Paraguay while Ri Jung-il nearly turned Jonathan Santana’s low cross into his own goal as the South Americans had the best of the second half.

North Korea, who drew 0-0 with South Africa in their previous match, defended tenaciously and showed flashes of skill in attack as they occasionally threatened Diego Barreto’s goal.

Lacking physical bulk, the North Koreans rarely troubled Paraguayan goalkeeper Diego Barreto despite the darting efforts of home bred North Korean striker Mun In-Guk and Russian league player Hong Yong-Jo.

Both teams are holding training camps in the region, Paraguay (7/2 to win Group F) in Evains-Les-Bains on the French side of Lake Geneva and North Korea in the Alpine village of Ayent.

Paraguayan coach Gerardo Martino admitted afterwards that his side had tailed off in the first half against the organised Korean defence, despite a clear athletic advantage in one-on-one challenges.

“That’s the characteristic of the North Korean team,” he said. “They defend well, can create difficult situations near goal, and are very quick on the break.”

“In the first half we weren’t very productive except for the first ten minutes,” Martino added.

But Paraguay picked up the pace in the second half, as Santa Cruz pressured the North Koreans into errors.

Long range shots from Marcelo Estigarribia and Eduardo Ledesma hit the woodwork before the penalty finally gave Paraguay the scoreline to reflect their efforts.

Paraguay next play Ireland in Dublin on May 25, the same day North Korea meet fellow World Cup qualifier Greece in Austria.

Paraguay are in Group F at the World Cup, which starts on June 11, with champions Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia.

North Korea are in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.

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