Brian McDermott Sacked

11 March 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading FC have confirmed the departure of manager Brian McDermott. The club have disposed of his services after a run of four straight league defeats, including home defeats to relegation rivals Wigan and Aston Villa, that leaves Reading set for relegation. The descision will please a small minority of fans at the club but most will be disappointed and shocked at the exit of a great man who had done so much for Reading Football Club since taking the managers position full time in December 2009.

As all football managers know - it's a narrow margin between success and failure but McDermott looked exactly the right man to be Reading boss just over a month ago before this short losing run. Reading were well positioned after a great start to the year that saw McDermott pick up Premier League manager of the month and Le Fondre named as Player of the Month. It was the least they deserved as Reading climbed out of the bottom three.

It seems incredibly harsh to give him the boot considering what he has managed with such small resources against Premier League standards. Against all the odds he turned Reading's fortunes around, taking them to the Championship play-offs before an amazing run saw Reading promoted to the Premier League as Champions at the end of last season. Unfortunately those in charge have very, very short memories and have shown him the door rather than reward him for his massive loyalty and dedication to the club. With his impressive win to defeat ratio, and the Championship trophy in the cabinet there is no doubt that McDermott will be remembered as one of Reading's best managers.

Attention will quickly turn to who will take over as the new manager. With Brian's sudden departure you have to think that a new manager has already been lined up. You would hope that the club have some master plan. Paolo Di Canio has been named as the early favourite to be the next Reading manager. He had nearly two good years at Swindon before his recent departure but his record still comes up short compared to McDermott. Other names high up on the list with the book makers include Curbishley, di Matteo, Nigel Gibbs and former Reading FC hero Phil Parkinson. With Parkinson's history at Reading FC and his recent success in getting Bradford City to the League Cup final he will be a popular name linked with the job. But is it too big a job for Parky right now?

With or without Brian, Reading are heading for relegation this season. Bizarrely, if you were looking for an ideal manager to lead you to promotion from the Championship then Brian McDermott is the man. McDermott is an experienced Championship manager, capable of taking a limited squad with no stars up in first place, and then going on to be named manager of the month. The more I think about it, the more the decision seems insane. The blame for Reading's poor season must be shared by the investors at the club who have failed to invest in the squad. Currently the involvement of TSI at Reading FC has been underwhelming to say the least and led to the unfair dismissal of McDermott. Don't be surprised to see McDermott having the last laugh over his old bosses next season in the Championship - he certainly won't be without a job for long and more success awaits this great manager.

Favourites to become the next Reading manager:

• Paolo Di Canio
• Alan Curbishley
• Roberto di Matteo
• Nigel Gibbs
• Phil Parkinson
• Steve McClaren

Share this article: