Steve Coppell has resigned as director of football at Crawley.

Coppell quit his role following the shock dismissal of manager Richie Barker last Wednesday.

Crawley chief executive Michael Dunford insisted Coppell was still working for the club last Friday but it has since emerged that he has left.

Coppell joined Reds in April 2012 in the wake of former manager Steve Evans' departure.

The former Albion, Reading and Crystal Palace boss filled in as caretaker manager along with Craig Brewster to guide Crawley to promotion from League Two.

Coppell helped recruit Sean O'Driscoll as manager and then Barker when O'Driscoll left to take over at Nottingham Forest after less than two months in charge.

He worked closely with Barker and is believed to have been upset at the former Reds manager's dismissal with Crawley 12th in League One.

Chief Executive Michael Dunford said: “Steve will always have a special place in our hearts at Crawley Town FC because he was instrumental in assisting Craig Brewster in securing our status to League One and has since been a very good advisor to the both the board of directors and the team management.
"Steve is a long term friend of our owners and will always be welcome at Crawley Town FC and we wish him every success for the future.”