Hahnemann hints at Royals unrest
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 13 May 2008
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has hinted at a bit of dressing room unrest at The Madejski Stadium following the club’s relegation from The Premier League.
The Royals were condemned to Championship football on Sunday when, despite beating Derby 4-0, other results went against them.
Now Hahnemann has questioned the dedication of some of his team-mates following the disappointment of the drop.
“I think some people might not be as devastated as I am - it might be because of personal situations with some guys leaving,” he told BBC Radio Berkshire.
“But you have to play well to leave and I don't know if a lot of guys did themselves any favours.”
The American keeper says the players want manager Steve Coppell to remain at the club, contrary to reports he is set to leave.
“We all want him to stay. We got into The Premier League and we had a great season in The Premier League with him, so of course we want him to stay,” Hahnemann said in the Reading Evening Post before explaining that his colleagues had to accept the reality of their current predicament.
“We are not Premiership players any more and that’s one thing we have to get into our heads as quickly as possible because you see a lot that when teams go down it’s devastating when you have tasted it and have to go back.
“Nobody wants to do it. You see the teams who have gone down and think they should go straight back with the strength they have, but it doesn’t happen because they are not prepared mentally for it.
“We have got to get our minds right because we know we are going to have a difficult season ahead of us.
“Financially it is going to be devastating for our club I think and for all the players.
“I’m going to have to play for another six years now!
“I’m going to be here, I’m sure of that, I have another year on my contract.
“I want to get this team back in The Premier League and do whatever it takes.
“There will be changes, I think that is inevitable. I don’t know what will happen and who is going to leave.”