A number one candidate has emerged as Reading FC look to appoint a new first-team manager following the dismissal of Noel Hunt.
The Royals are searching for a new number one after club chairman Rob Couhig, along with the club’s hierarchy, took the decision to sack Hunt with the team in 19th place in League One.
Several names have been linked with the vacant position, but it now appears that 45-year-old Leam Richardson is in pole position to land the job.
It is understood that Richardson is in advanced talks with the club to become the next Reading manager. The Royals keen to appoint a new boss before their FA Cup first-round tie against Carlisle United on Saturday.
Having drawn up a shortlist of targets, the club’s hierarchy appear to be pursuing Richardson as their priority, while other names such as Matt Bloomfield and Gareth Ainsworth have been discussed as potential options.
Richardson was most recently manager of Rotherham United in the Championship after being appointed in December 2023 on a three-and-a-half-year deal. However, in April 2024 Richardson was sacked by the club having picked up just two wins in 24 matches, giving him a win rate of just 8.33% as Rotherham were relegated.
However, he has had great success at League One level during his time at Wigan Atheltic.
Having been through financial troubles which had led to points deductions in previous seasons, Richardson guided Wigan to promotion as champions in the 2021/22 season as they finished with 92 points. He was also named as the League One manager of the season.
He signed a new three-year deal with the Latics, but only lasted until November 2022 when he was sacked following a run of six defeats in seven matches which saw the team plummet into the relegation places.
Another strong candidate for the job, Bloomfield, has strong ties with Couhig having been appointed by the American as manager at Wycombe to take over from long-term boss Gareth Ainsworth.
He is also close with Reading CEO Joe Jacobson having played together at Wycombe Wanderers during their playing days.
Bloomfield started his managerial career with Colchester United in League Two in 2022.
Having taken over with the team just one point above the drop zone they finished in 20th place, six points above the relegation places.
Bloomfield then joined Wycombe in February 2023, taking over from Answorth following his spell of more than a decade with the Chairboys.
Bloomfield was a popular appointment to take over having made more than 500 appearances during a 19-year spell with Wycombe.
They made a spectacular start to the 2024/25 campaign as he won the manager of the month award in League One for two consecutive months and had the team in the automatic promotion places.
Despite Wycombe having a shot at promotion to the Championship, Bloomfield opted to join Luton Town in the Championship in January 2025 on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Despite winning six of their final 12 matches, Luton were relegated from the Championship to League One having suffered back-to-back relegations.
Bloomfield was then sacked by Luton in October after a disappointing start to the season left the club in 11th position.
Reading are currently in 19th place in League One on 15 points from 14 games.
