Harry Redknapp has finally won the first major honour of his managerial career after leading Portsmouth to FA Cup glory last season.
It was another feather in Redknapp's cap after he masterminded Portsmouth's rise to the Premiership in 2003 when they finished champions of the First Division. Portsmouth ended a 69-year wait to add to the only FA Cup they won back in 1939.
Redknapp, who became the first English manager to lift the silverware in 13 years, will guide Portsmouth in European competition for the first time in their history.
Steve Coppell, at the helm of Reading since October 2003, has been persuaded to stay on by the fans, the players and the club after he considered quitting in the aftermath of the Royals' relegation from the top flight.
2007-08 was Reading's second successive term in the Premier League after they finished in an astonishing eighth place, just missing out on qualification to Europe the previous season.
Some critics suggested that Reading's top-10 position in 2006-07 was a flash in the pan but these doubters must also remember that the Royals gained promotion as champions in 2004-05, booking their place in the top flight for the first time in their history.
Reading chairman John Madejski was simply delighted to hold on to Coppell. The manager, who has a year left on his contract, remarked that he will do his best to steer the club back to the Premier League.
It was only on the last day of the 2007-08 Premier League that a tight relegation issue was decided. Despite a handsome win at Derby County, Fulham's victory at cup winners Portsmouth signalled the end of the road for the Royals.
Coppell had thanked the fans and his players, who had given their all for the side in their bid to keep their Premier League status. The former Manchester United midfielder hinted that the home and away losses to fellow relegation strugglers Fulham and Bolton proved costly for Reading.
In the league, Redknapp's Portsmouth suffered a dip in form in the last phase, most probably since their attention had already turned to the clash against Cardiff at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
In their last five league outings, Portsmouth gathered a mere point. Overall, they increased their total for the season by three points and climbed one spot to finish eighth compared to 2006-07.
Their FA Cup triumph also meant Redknapp received extra cash to bolster his squad for the coming season. Pompey will also have the honour of playing in the Community Shield match against champions Manchester United at Wembley.
Transfer coups
Two other masterstrokes by Happy Harry last season were the captures of midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal and forward Jermain Defoe from Tottenham. These have gone down as two of the best two signings of the last campaign.
Redknapp had also been hindered by a police arrest as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption in football but no charges were brought against the Portsmouth manager.
Portsmouth's best display in the cup competition came in the 1-0 win at Manchester United in the quarter-finals. In the other five rounds, including the final, the south coast team met opposition from the Championship.
In the League Cup, Portsmouth lost to Blackburn Rovers 1-2 at Fratton Park. Also in this competition, Reading were knocked out by Liverpool in round three, losing 2-4 at the Madejski Stadium.
It was at this same venue and stage that Reading bowed out of the FA Cup after they lost 1-0 to Tottenham in a replay following a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.