Steve Coppell has resigned as Bristol City manager with immediate effect after just one league game in charge. The 55-year-old informed his chairman, Steve Lansdown, of his decision yesterday and released a statement through the League Mangers Association today which confirmed that not only had he left the club, but stated he has retired from football management.

"It is with the deepest regret that I confirm my departure from Bristol City," Coppell said in his statement. "I have made my decision after very careful consideration and I believe that it is in the best interests of both the club and me personally that we go our separate ways.

"Bristol City is an excellent club, with brilliant support and a chairman with great ambition for the club's future. Whilst I was looking forward to the challenge of leading the players in this season's campaign, unfortunately, it has become clear over recent weeks, that I found I could not, for whatever reason, become passionate about the role and give the commitment the position demands."

It is not the first time Coppell, who took over at Bristol City in May, has had a brief spell at a club having left Manchester City in 1996 33 days after taking charge.

He acknowledged that the timing of his decision, following a 3-0 home defeat to Millwall and a Carling Cup exit at Southend, was not ideal. He will be replaced as manager by his assistant Keith Millen, who has signed a three-year deal.

"I appreciate that the timing of my departure is not ideal, but I believe it is best for the club to appoint a new manager or indeed appoint Keith Millen, who has a deep knowledge of the club and the squad, at this stage of the season. That individual can then make decisions on signing players before the window closes and work with the squad for the full campaign.

"I am retiring from football management but still feel I have a contribution to make to the game sometime in the future. I would like to sincerely thank the chairman and the board for their understanding and I wish the club and its supporters every success."

Millen finished his playing career at City in 2003 and has been part of the coaching staff since rejoining the club a year later. Millen finished last season in temporary charge of the Robins following the departure of Johnson in March.

The 43-year-old was surprised by Coppell's resignation but is excited by the prospect of leading the club on a full-time basis. "I'm still getting over the shock really," said Millen. "I knew I wanted to do the job and last season I enjoyed it, but for certain reasons I decided to step aside from it and I was looking forward to working with Steve.

"I did enjoy working with him and we are still friends. We met last night, when he told me the news. He apologised for leaving me in this situation. You have to be your own man and go with your decisions. The players know, certainly from last year, how I like things working.

"I know Bristol City fans like to see entertaining football. I've been here long enough to know what their expectations are. I've got high expectations as well. I'll be looking to bring an assistant in and that's going to be an important appointment."

Millen's first game in charge will be the Championship fixture at Doncaster on Saturday.