Steve Coppell has been confirmed as Crawley's new director of football.

Coppell, 56, arrives in the wake of former manager Steve Evans' departure to take over at Rotherham United yesterday.

The former Albion boss will provide support to caretaker manager Craig Brewster in Crawley's bid to clinch promotion to League One over the next five games.

Chief executive Allan Williams said: "Bringing someone with Steve's stature in football as well as his experience and detailed knowledge of the game is another important milestone in the development of the club.

"Steve's background and pedigree will help us will help us to achieve our aim of pushing into League One."

Coppell has been out of football since a brief spell in charge at Bristol City two years ago. At the time he said he was retiring from football management altogether due to a lack of passion for the job.

He has previously managed Crystal Palace, Reading, Manchester City and Brentford.

Coppell was in charge of Albion for a dramatic year during which he nearly kept them in the Championship from a hopeless position before switching to the Madejski Stadium as Reading manager in October 2003.

Coppell took Crystal Palace to the FA Cup final in 1990, forcing Manchester United to a replay before eventually losing.