Steve Coppell is leaning towards staying as manager of Reading despite his team’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League. He had been considering his options, with many observers predicting that he would resign, but he has been encouraged by the groundswell of support from the club’s fans.

About 300 supporters staged a demonstration outside the Madejski Stadium last night, calling for Coppell to lead the team in the Coca-Cola Championship next season. BBC Radio Berkshire received more than 1,000 text messages expressing similar sentiments. “Almost without exception, they called for Coppell to stay,” Tim Dellor, the station’s football commentator, said. John Madejski, the Reading chairman, has also maintained that he will not dismiss Coppell. After Reading had beaten Derby County 4-0 at Pride Park on Sunday, only for Fulham’s 1-0 victory away to Portsmouth to relegate them, Madejski said: “I will do everything in my power to keep Steve Coppell at the club.” Privately, though, he feared the worst.

Coppell, who has been in charge for 4½ and has 12 months left on his contract, held discussions with Nicky Hammond, the director of football, on Monday. “I had a very clear meeting with him,” Hammond said. “Now we need to spend a bit of time to digest and reflect on what has happened.”

Birmingham City’s relegation on the same day was marred by threats of resignation from David Gold and David Sullivan, the co-owners, after they had been verbally abused during and after the 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at St Andrew’s. In contrast, Coppell — as well as Madejski — have received nothing but encouragement.