Steve Coppell has been confirmed as the new manager of ChampionshipBristol City. The 54-year-old former England international has been out of work since resigning from his post at Reading last summer.

Coppell will replace Gary Johnson, who left Ashton Gate after five years in charge in March, although caretaker manager Keith Millen, who himself had been in the running for the post, will stay in charge for the last two games of the season.

City have not been in the top flight for 30 years but Coppell is intent on ending that wait.

He said: "Every manager knows that promotion is his brief and I'm no different.

"No one person can do it by themselves and we will need to work as a team.

"Football is a week-to-week industry and I will be looking for improvement. Everyone is judged on results and we need to win games but we need to finish strongly this season and look to kick on."

Coppell admitted that he had discussed what money would be made available to him by chairman Steve Lansdown and insisted that Millen, who is to stay on as assistant manager, will play a key part in their summer rebuilding.

Coppell added: "We have obviously discussed budgets but there has not been a figure put on it. I know that the chairman has always been supportive and if I go to him he will help me bring players in.

"This club has a history in the top division and the chairman has huge ambitions for the team and the stadium.

"I feel very fortunate that he has given me this opportunity. I have not had that many offers to be honest.

"I seem to be 7/1 for every job that is available. I see this as duplicate of the challenge I had at Reading and it has potential to go forward.

"I will not be here for the next few games due to family commitments but I thought it was fair to bring it out into the open now.

"I will take over at the end of the season and we are already planning to fill gaps in the squad. I have been talking to Keith and watching DVDs of players and we expect a busy summer."