New Manager - Still No News

25 March 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's hunt for a new manager continues with rumours that Nigel Adkins is the latest to turn down a possible offer of the position. Adkins remains involved in a dispute with Southampton over his dismissal, and has also been linked to becoming the manager of Leeds United. It was reported that he had discussions with Reading Football Club last week - at the same time Brighton's Gus Poyet was declining to take on the role. Adkins is still in discussions but appears no closer to becoming Reading manager despite continuing to be listed as the favourite to get the job. The other previous favourite, former Swindon Town manager, Paolo Di Canio seems to be an unpopular choice with both fans and some staff at the club and seems unlikely to be appointed.

With Reading set for Championship football next season there seems a shortage of qualified managers who are willing to manage Reading in the second tier. The on-going saga, after the surprising sacking of Brian McDermott, appears to make the path increasingly clearer for caretaker boss Eamonn Dolan to become long term manager at Reading. It would certainly be the "Reading Way" to appoint from within and replace McDermott with Dolan after many weeks of searching. After Dolan's first game at Old Trafford last weekend he now seems ever more likely to be taking the team to Arsenal this weekend for another mission impossible. A respectable defeat would be enough to support the club's decision to turn to Dolan until at least the end of the season. Meanwhile Dolan thinks he will be passing the job over to a new permanent manager before the Arsenal fixture. If that man turns out to be Adkins then he is obviously negotiating an impressive package...

It seems no-one has any clear idea of who will eventually agree to take on the role - and that includes both the club and fans. The bookmakers now have Steve Coppell creeping up to fourth favourite and Brian McDermott working his way up the ladder to 50/1. Phil Parkinson remains a possibility - more due to his Reading links than any proven successful managerial record.

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