A Reading win was not enough to save manager Veljko Paunovic as he was sacked by Reading following the 3-2 victory at Preston North End on February 19.
Paul Ince Returns to Management as Reading Win Not Enough for Paunovic
Reading Sack Manager
After losing 18 of their 32 Championship games in the 2021/22 season, the 3-2 away win at Preston North End was welcome but the Reading board had already decided that a change was needed if the club are to avoid relegation. Paunovic became Reading manager in the summer of 2o20 and his first season gave grounds for optimism as he guided them to a seventh place finish, but his second season has been at polar opposites and he leaves the club just five points above the relegation zone.
Change Needed
Paunovic was dealing with some issues that he could not control with the club deducted six points and placed under a transfer embargo due to financial misconduct.
A statement from the official club website said:
“With nearly a throw of the season still remaining and every point now vital in our bid to retain Championship status, the decision has been mutually agreed to make a change.”
The club will now begin a search for a permanent manager:
“This work will be done quickly but without undue haste as we fully appreciate the importance of our decision to appoint a new manager at this crucial stage of the campaign.”
The announcement of Paul Ince as interim Reading manager comes a surprise to many as he hasn’t been in charge of a club since 2014 when he was the manager at Blackpool. Ince’s son Tom is currently loan at Reading and that link has helped chief executive Dayong Pang secure his services whilst he looks for the safe pair of hands he feels can steer the club to safety and change fortunes on the pitch.
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