Shaun Goater has a new "gaffer".

After weeks of speculation, Steve Coppell was appointed manager of division one Reading today.

He will manage Bermuda star Goater at Reading. Goater signed with the Royals from Manchester City.

Former England and Manchester United winger Coppell left Brighton, the first-place team in division two, and signed a contract with the Royals through the 2004-2005 season.

He succeeds Alan Pardew, who quit last month to take over at West Ham.

Coppell's first game in charge will be at home to Gillingham on Tuesday.

The Royals are in mid-table after just one win in six league matches since Pardew's departure.

“I am excited by the prospect of taking Reading forward, but anxious about the responsibility,” said Coppell, a former Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Brentford manager.

“I am also sad to leave Brighton. It's such a good club, so I have mixed emotions. But once I start to work with the players I will put the blinkers on.”

Reading chairman John Madejski apologized for the delay in appointing Coppell.

“When I first approached Brighton chairman Dick Knight, they had a clutch of games coming up and he didn't want Steve distracted,” he said. “Then when the time came that we could talk to Steve we had to negotiate the contract. We are delighted we have got him. We have finally got our man.”