Bryn wants to manage Reading

[maffff]

Bryn harbours hopes of becoming Reading FC boss
Reading FC legend says the Mad Stad hotseat is a long-term ambition

Brynjar Gunnarsson says he has not ruled out the possibility of one day managing Reading.

The Royals legend hung up his boots at the end of last summer and is now beginning a coaching career in his native Iceland.

The 38-year-old has just taken up a role at Stjarnan, working as assistant manager and head of the youth team.

Gunnarsson admitted that he is still in the very early stages of his coaching career, but a return to Madejski Stadium, where he made more than 160 appearances for Royals, is an option.

He said: “If that’s where it takes me, or if the possibility comes up then I would definitely look into it.

“Definitely not in the next three or four years, but possibly later on I will certainly have a look.

“There is a manager now and hopefully he stays there for as long as he can and does a great job, so I don’t have to do that.

“It probably is a possibility because the lives of managers aren’t great, especially in the Championship.

“They are either let go or move on to something bigger and better.”

In September, Gunnarsson finished off his playing career with KR Reykjavik, the team he grew up and played with before making the move abroad to Norway and then Sweden. Gunnarsson joined Stoke City in 1999 for a club-record fee of £600,000, before having spells at Nottingham Forest and Watford ahead of his move to Reading in 2005.

He left Madejski Stadium earlier this year after a highly-successful eight-year spell.

During that time he collected Championship-winning medals in 2006 and 2012 and also chipped in with 10 goals. The central midfielder, who was a hugely popular figure among supporters, said it was former Royals boss Brian McDermott who persuaded him to take up a career in coaching.

“I mentioned it to Brian first and he thought it was a good idea and an opportunity to start,” said the Icelander.

“You can’t tell whether if it’s for you or not until you try it. But I’m enjoying it at the moment.

“It’s been good and it’s an opportunity I get to work with younger players back home and I try to be the link between the youth and the first team.”

He added: “The way it works back home is that you are the manager, coach and ball boy all at the same time.

“So in many ways it’s more difficult than being a manager or the coach in England because there are a lot more things to think about.”

“It (coaching) was always in the back of my mind.

“There wasn’t anything planned, but coming to my later years at Reading when Brian was there we talked about it a little bit.

“I did a bit now and again with Brian a few years ago and I did quite a bit last season with Chris Cummins (development coach) and the under-21s.

“So I gained a little bit of experience and saw what it was all about and took it from there.”

Gunnarsson insists he has no regrets about retiring from the game.

He said: “If you want to be involved then coaching is the best way to do it.

“Hopefully I can use my experience from being a professional and bring something to the players that they haven’t seen or heard before.”

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/footb ... ng-6326079

<3

[Reading4eva]

I'd love this to happen...

[BrianMünchen]

Yes please. A worry he may tarnish his reputation if it doesn't go to plan, but well worth the risk if he shows potential back in Iceland.

[HoneyRoastHoax]

Yes please. A worry he may tarnish his reputation if it doesn't go to plan, but well worth the risk if he shows potential back in Iceland.

Hi Brian

You are wanted in anything else section

Bring a note pad

[St. Brynjar]

This would be too perfect.

[ZacNaloen]

Assistant coach if Crosby leaves. Get on it Squeaky.

[Whore Jackie]

Really don't understand the clamour from fans for former players to manage their club.

[Ouroboros]

I
Bryn.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Really don't understand the clamour from fans for former players to manage their club.

Because it's nice to have someone with roots in the club who we all adore being the manager. Look what happens when you are a decent manager doing his best but aren't liked for whatever reason.

[Hampshire Royal]

Really don't understand the clamour from fans for former players to manage their club.

Because it's nice to have someone with roots in the club who we all adore being the manager. Look what happens when you are a decent manager doing his best but aren't liked for whatever reason.

Just like Rodgers and McD, then?

[melonhead]

dependant on how his managerial career goes id have him back in a shot

probably my favourite backup player ever

[maffff]

dependant on how his managerial career goes id have him back in a shot

probably my favourite backup player ever

In the backup player ranks I wouldn't put Tabby far behind, but yes, definitely.

[Doesn't Tabb want to be a teacher?]

[winchester_royal]

Really don't understand the clamour from fans for former players to manage their club.

Because it's nice to have someone with roots in the club who we all adore being the manager. Look what happens when you are a decent manager doing his best but aren't liked for whatever reason.

Not just this, but Bryn always had an aura of authority and intelligence when he played. Physically/technically he was never the best, but as with Ivar he appeared to be a couple of moves ahead of those around him. He also speaks well with a real understanding of the game. Will, imho, make a top manager and we'd be lucky to have him if the time ever comes.

Not overly keen on the idea of Parky managing us, but I'd take Bryn in a heartbeat.

[melonhead]

dependant on how his managerial career goes id have him back in a shot

probably my favourite backup player ever

In the backup player ranks I wouldn't put Tabby far behind, but yes, definitely.

[Doesn't Tabb want to be a teacher?]

brynns right up there in my favourite player ever, let alone just as a back up.
but agreed. tabby gets in there in second. then makin. then probably kish, then probably meaker

[Major Inconvenience]

Bryn harbours hopes of becoming Reading FC boss
Reading FC legend says the Mad Stad hotseat is a long-term ambition

“If that’s where it takes me, or if the possibility comes up then I would definitely look into it.

[Geekins]

:prematurely ejaculates:

[Ian Royal]

Yeah I also like how he says nothing of the sort. I guess 'Former player would consider managing club in a few years if the circumstances were right.' Doesn't sell as well.

[winchester_royal]

It wasn't old Jonny Low who wrote that article was it?

Awful journalist.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Really don't understand the clamour from fans for former players to manage their club.

Because it's nice to have someone with roots in the club who we all adore being the manager. Look what happens when you are a decent manager doing his best but aren't liked for whatever reason.

Just like Rodgers and McD, then?

Yes. Just like Rodgers and McD.

[From Despair To Where?]

Yeah I also like how he says nothing of the sort. I guess 'Former player would consider managing club in a few years if the circumstances were right.' Doesn't sell as well.

It's a non story really, isn't it, although I'd have loved it if he'd said something along the lines of "I don't want to manage Reading because I'm something of a cult hero and wouldn't want to ruin my standing with if I got the job and oxf*rd it up".