Steve Coppell has agreed to consider a deal to stay on as Albion manager.

Chairman Dick Knight has put a new offer to Coppell, who signed a 12-month contract last October.

Knight said: "Steve wants time to consider the offer. That's the way he wants to play it and I respect that.

"He didn't want to discuss the situation in any detail for a few weeks and I agreed.

"Those who want him to stay have got to understand that Steve does things his own way.

"I will continue discussions with him through the next fortnight or so after he has had time to digest the details.

"I want to get the matter resolved quickly. He knows it can't be left in the air but Steve does things his own way. Those who want him to stay must also understand that."

Coppell was moved by the support he received from fans at an emotional, upbeat end-of-season dinner at the Metropole Hotel on Tuesday night.

He told The Argus that day: "It helps an awful lot when people want you to stay."

Albion looked certainties for the drop when he took charge and he just failed to save the Seagulls from relegation to Division Two on the final day.

Coppell has revealed he would like to stay providing the terms are right.

Knight said: "The offer is a good one because we want him to stay."

The chairman yesterday made an impassioned plea to his manager to stay.

He said: "Steve, you are the man who gave us back our pride. You gave us hope when everyone else had written us off. You've done a wonderful job.

"We like your intelligence, we like your style and we want you to stay.

"I'll be doing my best to persuade him (Steve) to stay because I can assure everyone the adventure has not ended.

We're confident we are going to win the battle for our new stadium at Falmer."

On the mood of the dinner, he said: "There was an amazing amount of goodwill. It was more upbeat than the Leicester boardroom after they had won a place in the Premiership.

"It shows the confidence and determination imbedded in the spirit of the club and its supporters."

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