Monday 11 March 2013

Reading sack manager Brian McDermott

Brian McDermott
Strife of Brian: McDermott has been axed by Reading (Picture: Action Images)

Brian McDermott has been sacked by struggling Reading with just two months of the season remaining as the Royals desperately fight to keep their Premier League status.

A miserable 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals Aston Villa on Saturday pushed the Berkshire club further into trouble, with only QPR behind them in the table.

McDermott was named Premier League Manager of the Month in January, but a run of four successive league defeats has resulted in Reading taking their surprise decision.

Roberto Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to European Cup glory last May, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for McDermott, as has former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio, who was at the clash with Villa.

Aston Villa's Belgian striker Christian Benteke (C) celebrates scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Reading and Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, on March 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publicationsGLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
Final nail: Defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday sealed McDermott’s fate (Picture: AFP)

Reading released a statement on Monday, which read: ‘Reading Football Club has announced today the departure of manager Brian McDermott.

‘Owner Anton Zingarevich wishes to place on record his thanks to Brian who had achieved great success with the club since taking over as manager in December 2009.

‘Brian gained promotion to the Barclays Premier League last year for only the second time in the club's history thanks to a remarkable run at the end of last season.

‘However, in our current situation, owner Anton Zingarevich felt that a change was necessary.

‘The search for a successor will start immediately and it is hoped that a new manager will be in place as soon as possible to lead the fight against potential relegation.’

If the new man is appointed in the next few days, he faces the worst possible start, with Reading playing champions-elect Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.


~Metro » Football | Metro UK~
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