Nigel Adkins Is Sacked

15 December 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have sacked manager Nigel Adkins after an inconsistent Championship season finished, for Adkins, with a 1-6 thrashing at Birmingham City on Saturday. At the final whistle on Saturday the travelling fans made their opinion heard with boos and chants of "Adkins Out". However, despite the lack of support from the fans in recent weeks, his departure still feels a shock after the lack of communication from the new Thai owners.

Adkins took over from Brian McDermott in the 2012/2013 season with the club already looking doomed to relegation. Adkins, who became manager in March 2013, couldn't save the Royals from the drop. The following season Reading were challenging for a play-off finish, only to finish seventh on the last day of the season after failing to beat Burnley. After a serious lack of investment from the club owners the Royals have limped along this season and Adkins has struggled to get the team playing how he would like. Reading sit in sixteenth place in the table, closer to relegation than the play-offs in what appears set to be a mid-table season.

Adkins took charge of 80 games as Reading manager, but lost more games that he won. He guided Reading to 29 victories, 31 defeats and 20 draws.

In a short statement this evening, the club confirmed that Adkins has left the club and his assistants have also been sacked:

"The board of Reading Football Club have this afternoon relieved Manager Nigel Adkins of his duties. The Club met with Nigel in person today and we would like to place on permanent record our thanks to him for his hard work and diligence since his appointment in March 2013.

Following this weekend's 6-1 defeat at Birmingham, the board feel that a change in Manager is necessary, with the club 16th in the Sky Bet Championship. As part of this process, Assistant Manager Andy Crosby and First Team Coach Dean Wilkins will also be leaving the club, and we would also like to thank them for their efforts."

The board of Reading Football Club are committed to taking this club forward and will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course.

Nigel Adkins responded to his dismissal with a message singling out his management team that also have been shown the door by Reading FC:

"Thank you to everyone for your support in my time at Reading FC especially Andy Crosby + Dean Wilkins."

Discussion on who should become the next Reading FC manager is already well under way. Whoever is the new manager they face a very difficult task to appease the fans and club owners with a very limited budget.

• Adkins' last game in charge: Birmingham 6 Reading 1 - Match report
• Who should be the next manager? - Discussion

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