CONFIMRED - Paul Ince sacked

[Webster750]

Reading Football Club can confirm that the contract of first team manager Paul Ince has been terminated with immediate effect.

Ince was appointed initially on an interim basis with his assistant Alex Rae in February 2022 and, alongside the likes of Academy Manager Michael Gilkes and Under-18s manager Mikele Leigertwood in the dugout, he did an admirable job in helping the club stave off the threat of relegation with four wins from the final 14 fixtures last season.

Ince took the reins on a permanent basis in the summer and, having to cope with strict transfer embargo restrictions, he helped to piece together a new squad on a much-reduced wage budget - and with five wins from our first seven home games the season began brightly.

However, without a win in our last eight matches and with a relegation battle to fight following a six-point deduction imposed last week, owner Mr Dai Yongge has decided that a change is needed.

Assistant Manager Alex Rae has also departed the club.

Our Under-21s Manager and former Royals striker, Noel Hunt, has been installed as Interim First Team Manager until the end of the season.

[NathStPaul]

Cocky twat has got what he deserved

[Winston Biscuit]

CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
NOEL HUNT!!

[genome]

[Sutekh]

Sad to say is great news! Glad Noels in and just what we need, someone who knows the youngsters too so should get maximum options to freshen the squad.

Noel has some senior management experience from his time a Sw*nd*n.

Hoping for new permanent manager at the end of the season.

[Hound]

Yeah had to be done. All about trying to get the players up and a bounce now and Ince was taking us down

Good luck to Hunt and co

[Brum Royal]

Good riddance

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Long overdue to be honest, it needed to happen as we've been sleep walking to League One. Hopefully Hunt can do something for us, although he hasn't been handed a great start with Burnley and Luton.

Still believe if we can win our final 2 games of the season, we will stop up.

[Hound]

Long overdue to be honest, it needed to happen as we've been sleep walking to League One. Hopefully Hunt can do something for us, although he hasn't been handed a great start with Burnley and Luton.

Still believe if we can win our final 2 games of the season, we will stop up.

Players look like they need a lift. Get the crowd behind them etc, Hunt can certainly do that

I suspect Bowen may also be having his say in the background

[Zammo]

Yeah, the football has been sh!te recently and his post match interviews have become quite bizarre affairs but I'm probably in a minority of one who feels a tad sorry for him. Think he changed the mood in the camp upon his arrival. We had a most excellent home record 'till recent weeks. We all wanted Long and Carroll and he delivered them on a zero budget. His remit was to keep us up and had we kept the six points I'm pretty sure he would have. And Blackburn at home this season we were awesome. Its all too late now anyway. Noel Hunt won't be saving us.

[Royal_jimmy]

Internal appointments have worked before, they can work again. Not expecting much but I'll back Noel Hunt, he's done a decent job with the U21s.

[Loafer]

oxf*rd him and hope his shit Charlton son goes with him!!!!

He has been a big part of ruining our club

[PATRIQT]

Wasn't expecting the club to part ways with Ince this side of June. No idea how we agree his severance package, but well done the Club for acting now. We desperately need that new manager bounce!

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Long overdue to be honest, it needed to happen as we've been sleep walking to League One. Hopefully Hunt can do something for us, although he hasn't been handed a great start with Burnley and Luton.

Still believe if we can win our final 2 games of the season, we will stop up.

Players look like they need a lift. Get the crowd behind them etc, Hunt can certainly do that

I suspect Bowen may also be having his say in the background

Yeah I don't think Hunt will be left on his own, although it can't get much worse anyway. If the unthinkable happens and we do beat Burnley, I think it would give everyone a massive lift and would genuinely shit up the sides around us.

[Franchise FC]

Yeah, the football has been sh!te recently and his post match interviews have become quite bizarre affairs but I'm probably in a minority of one who feels a tad sorry for him. Think he changed the mood in the camp upon his arrival. We had a most excellent home record 'till recent weeks. We all wanted Long and Carroll and he delivered them on a zero budget. His remit was to keep us up and had we kept the six points I'm pretty sure he would have. And Blackburn at home this season we were awesome. Its all too late now anyway. Noel Hunt won't be saving us.

You’re not alone
The job he did last season was massive in the circumstances and the whole club has been hamstrung by previous indiscretions. However, my sadness is tempered somewhat by his own decline since October.
Given what I’ve seen and heard of AC2 I’d like to think he could add something to the team motivation even if he’s not qualified for coaching

[Sutekh]

So here it is Merry Christmas
Everybody’s having fun!
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun!

Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of RG2!

[Hound]

Yeah, the football has been sh!te recently and his post match interviews have become quite bizarre affairs but I'm probably in a minority of one who feels a tad sorry for him. Think he changed the mood in the camp upon his arrival. We had a most excellent home record 'till recent weeks. We all wanted Long and Carroll and he delivered them on a zero budget. His remit was to keep us up and had we kept the six points I'm pretty sure he would have. And Blackburn at home this season we were awesome. Its all too late now anyway. Noel Hunt won't be saving us.

You’re not alone
The job he did last season was massive in the circumstances and the whole club has been hamstrung by previous indiscretions. However, my sadness is tempered somewhat by his own decline since October.
Given what I’ve seen and heard of AC2 I’d like to think he could add something to the team motivation even if he’s not qualified for coaching

Yeah I’ve sympathy for him and he was doing a great job til Christmas but he was taking us only one way and the football has got worse as the season has gone on

Hope people remember him for pushing through necessary change at the club rather than the tired uninspired tactics etc that he ended with

[Loafer]

Underwhelmed by Hunt not going to lie

Zero credentials bar some football manager esque stuff

[Elm Park Kid]

Let's be clear. If it weren't for the points deduction he would still be in a job. Though, he's done nothing to help himself in the last couple of months.

Unfortunately, I don't think Hunt is going to make that much difference. But we'll see.

[retro royal]

Happy he's gone, but would rather have someone come along side Noel with some fresh eyes and experience, at least everyone will be behind Noel and the team on Saturday