BRIAN MCDERMOTT has completed a remarkable return to manage Reading, nearly three years after being sacked by the club.
Royals have been on the lookout for a new boss since sacking Steve Clarke two weeks following a run of just one win in eight matches and have moved for McDermott, handing him a two-and-a-half year contract.
A deal was expected to go through to bring McDermott back a week ago but a late hitch delayed the move with Martin Kuhl taking charge of defeats to Preston North End and Hull City.
McDermott, 54, enjoyed a highly successful first spell in charge in Berkshire, winning the Championship title in the 2011/12 season only to be sacked less than a year late, towards the end of what has proved to be Reading’s last top flight campaign.
Nigel Adkins came in to replace McDermott before Clarke took over in December 2014 and the club have now decided to wind back the clocks to re-appoint McDermott.
Following his dismissal by former Royals owner Anton Zingarevich, McDermott went on to manage Leeds United for a year before taking up a scouting role at Arsenal.
McDermott said “I’d had a few offers to come back but this one just felt right” with Sir John Madejski describing the news as “the best Christmas present any of us could have had.”
The new boss says he will not make too many changes to the staff but confirmed former Arsenal coach Terry Burton will come in to become his assistant manager.
It is safe to say Reading’s new managerial decision has split opinion with the fans.
Many took to Twitter to air their views –
@AdamTucker_ – We’re genuinely appointing Brian McDermott. Oh dear.
@rightbankwarsaw – I like Brian McDermott a lot but a bit worried this appointment will lead to mid-table mediocrity. Glad to be proved wrong #readingfc
@Harryphillips1 – Reappointing Brian McDermott a really poor choice. This ends badly #readingfc
@JoshuaLamb2 – Always liked Brian McDermott, good manager and won the league for us! But I’m afraid we need to move forward not backwards! #readingfc
@KieranMorris15 – Would happily, as many fans are saying, go ‘backwards’ with Brian McDermott. Back to having a manager capable of actually winning things
@Matt_Hayle – Brian McDermott returning might be a backwards step but least you know what you going to get and be in safe hands #readingfc
