Dick has the high moral ground in terms of negotiations after the stance that Reading Chairman Madejski took when west Ham came in for Readings previous manager, Alan Pardew.
No doubt Dick is also insisting on clauses that Coppell does not poach any Brighton players whilst under contract.
Favourites for the Brighton job include Iain Dowie, currently on a week by week contract at financially crippled Oldham, and Steve Cotterill.