19 November 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Nigel Pearson is the early favourite to be named as the new Reading manager, as fans wait for confirmation that Steve Clarke has joined Fulham. Reading Football Club cancelled the usual pre-match press conference today ahead of the visit of Bolton Wanderers at the weekend after news broke last night that Clarke had agreed to move to Fulham. Clarke was at Reading's training ground this morning with the squad, and not at Fulham, but the silence from the club appears to confirm that Clarke is on his way.
Should Clarke's departure be confirmed then he will be remembered as the manager that took Reading to the FA Cup Semi-Final for only the second time in their history. But he will be remembered for little else. Reading have lost more league games than they have won under Clarke, and the current side are probably under-achieving under his command after a run of five winless games. Clarke would be leaving behind a recently re-built squad with plenty of potential for his successor.
Nigel Pearson was favourite to be named as Fulham manager earlier this week, before Steve Clarke's name rose above his yesterday. It is rumoured that Pearson turned down an offer to manage at Fulham and may already be in talks with Reading. Pearson, who played for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, enjoyed two periods as a popular, but often controversial, boss at Leicester City. His early time at Leicester was a huge success as he guided the club to promotion out of League One after losing just four league games all season. The following season on their return to the second tier they secured an impressive fifth place finish, before Pearson moved on to Hull City. His time at Hull City was short before a return to Leicester eventually saw him take them into the Premier League as Champions. Pearson left in the summer after differences with the owners of the club forced him to leave.
Other names linked to Reading include the usual selection of big name managers who are currently without a job, such as David Moyes. Arsenal scout Brian McDermott, who has been a regular spectator at Reading U21 games this season, finds his name is in the list of contenders. One of the most popular players of all time, and now successful manager at Bradford City, Phil Parkinson will see his name linked every time the managers position becomes vacant at Reading. Current assistant manager Kevin Keen is towards the top of the list, but he may be set to follow Clarke once again and move to Fulham.
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