Reading have announced that Paul Clement has left his role as manager at the club with immediate effect. The news comes just 17 hours after Nigel Howe was appointed as the club’s Chief Executive.
Paul Clement Leaves Reading
Just Enough
The Royals have been on a downward spiral ever since their play-off final loss to Huddersfield at the end of the 2016/17 season. Clement took over form Jaap Stam in March and guided them to two wins and a draw that was just enough to save them from relegation.
The second season under Stam had been disastrous in comparison to the first, where they had inexplicably gone on a promotion charge. At the time of his sacking, though, they were 20th in the Championship, above the relegation zone by just three points.
Wins over QPR and Preston as well as draws against Sunderland and Cardiff in Clement’s games were enough to see the Royals finish in that position with a total of 44 points. Mathematically, they were not safe going into that final game against Cardiff, but Barnsley succumbed to the drop instead of them.
Lack of Quality
Clement made eight signings in the summer, three of which were for a fee, but they have all done little to reverse the club’s fortunes. They have won just five of their 22 league and cup matches this season and currently find themselves out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
None of Reading’s losses this season have been particularly heavy; their 4-1 loss at West Brom is their biggest of the season. However, they have only kept three clean sheets all season and have failed to take chances at the big opportunities, such as Marc McNulty’s missed penalty late on against Leeds in a 1-0 loss.
Next in Line
There is no official word on who will take charge of the game against Sheffield United this coming Saturday yet. Steve Bruce currently leads the way in terms of the bookies’ favourite having recently left Aston Villa.
Also high up on the list are Phil Parkinson, Graeme Murty and Mark Warburton.
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