Doncaster Rovers: James Coppinger on his managerial aspirations and whether he wants the Rovers job now

Social media has seen a clamour for the club legend to be handed a player-manager role following last week’s departure of Grant McCann to Hull City.

But Coppinger told the Free Press he is not the right man for the job at the present time and is determined to focus on his playing career.

“I'd love to do it,” he said. “There would be nothing better for me in the future.

“It'd be a natural transition for me after 15 or 16 years at the club as a player, experiencing promotions and all the things I've experienced at the club.

“But I don't think right now it would be fair on myself and Doncaster because I've not prepared for that.

"I've not gone down that route while I'm playing. I've not done my coaching badges.

"It's not something I've envisaged myself doing over the next two or three seasons.

"I want to try to help the club as a player and in other capacities.”

Coppinger has spoken in the past of his desire to not distract from his continuing playing career and says that is as important as ever as he prepares to enter his 16th season with Rovers.

The 38-year-old said: "I think people that know me and have spoken to me over the last few years will know where I'm at.

"I feel that I've got the best out of myself because of that.

"I feel like if I'd have dipped my toe into coaching, the emphasis would have been off playing and I'd have focused more on that.

"I've seen it happen to other players in the past and it's effected the way they have performed.

"For me personally it's about concentrating on being a player and enjoying it because it's over before you know it and it will be over in the next few years for me.

"I really enjoyed last season and enjoyed being part of the group. And I'm looking forward to this next one and doing it all again."