Former Crystal Palace and Reading manager Steve Coppell believes that many promoted teams suffer from second season syndrome due to the financial muscle the bigger sides in the Premier League hold.
Coppell managed Reading to eighth place in their first Premier League campaign, but then they fell by the wayside into the Championship. The 56 year old has also managed Palace in the top flight and acknowledges that the financial muscle the top four has inflicts on the rest of the teams who want to challenge for the title. Coppell’s last job was at Championship side Bristol City and he has now retired from management, citing a lack of passion as the reason.
Coppell said: ‘I think, ultimately, the Premier League is a power league. Success in football is simple; have the most money, buy the best players and you’ve got the best team. Look at the history of the Premier League and is dominated by the teams with the most financial clout. There was Blackburn with Jack Walker’s money all those years ago. Man United have been ever-present with the income they get from their huge crowds and their brand right across the world’.
The former England international also believes that Premier League new boys Swansea are not out of the relegation picture yet. The Swans are 10th in the table and flying high after their 3-2 win over Arsenal last weekend, but Coppell believes they have to hold on to their best players. Coppell thinks that if Swansea sell players such as Scott Sinclair and Joe Allen and don’t find replacements good enough, they are in trouble towards the end of the season.
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