Reading are set to sack their manager Veljko Paunovic with a interim replacement already in mind for upcoming matches, say reports.
The Royals have lost eight successive games and are only two points above the Championship relegation places with fears this will be the season the club will go down.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of Coventry on Saturday, losing 3-2, despite going 1-0 ahead, though it was marred as fans ran onto the pitch and confronted some players as well as the boss.
Paunovic, who was formerly with MLS side Chicago Fire, guided Reading to a seventh-placed finish last season, but having been top of the league in October, a dreadful run of form at the end of the season saw them drop out of the playoff spots altogether.
This season, they were deducted six points by the English Football League for breaching FFP rules, which saw them thrust into a relegation battle.
Reading’s next match is a relegation six-pointer against fellow strugglers Peterborough on Monday, a game they need to win if they are to avoid playing in League One next season.
Several of Paunovic’s players wanted the mabaer to be sacked, according to BBC Radio Berkshire’s Tim Dellor.
Sharing the revelation on the radio before the game, Dellor claimed that members of the squad are reportedly also of that view.
“I’ve been thinking long and hard over the last couple of days whether to report this or not,” Dellor said. “I’ve decided I’m going to, but I’m going to do it in a limited way.
“I spoke to several players after the game down at Bristol City and more than one of them was keen that there’s a change in manager. They were senior players.
“I’ve written it down. ‘I like Veljko, but his time’s up. We need someone new in’ was one direct quote from a player soon after the game.”
Speaking after the game about his future, the manager said : “If someone has to happen, it’ll happen.
“We need to stay away from negativity and whatever is happening around. It is my responsibility and I feel very sorry at some point I let certain things happen and provoked so much frustration and negativity around us and myself, but I understand that.
“I know how football is and I’ll keep looking to fix it and change that, but most importantly for the team. And then I need everyone on the same page.”
Paunovic has won 28 and lost 36 of his 81 games in charge, and is expected to leave Reading in the coming days and academy boss Michael Gilkes is set to step up and cover in the interim while the club search for a new permanent manager.
Twitter users reacted with Reading set to sack their manager with an interim replacement already in mind…
@dwsdmzn: True legend of the British game needed. Slick Mick, O’Neill, Warnock, anyone please!
@RFCJoeJ: Maybe been in plans since last weekend? Considering Morrison took charge of u23s on Monday.
@mredford17: Amazed it’s taken this long. Hasn’t been working for a long, long time.
@lambeyyy1871: Would love this if true and get Murty in as his number 2 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@LukeRfc2: 8 Games too late but hopefully onwards and upwards. C’mon lads let’s pull away from our current position and finally cement ourselves this season and kick on the next 🤞🏻
@JonnyRussell100: Hopefully just for a couple of days before an actual manager with survival experience signs on Wednesday morning
@RussellBeaven: Seriously what is wrong with people wanting Warnock at the club despite his record in this area. People have spent years of hate with this guy and suddenly you want a love in. Whilst I agree on change of manager not him, he wouldn’t come anyway. #readingfc
@Stephen_Noakes: There is a fucking God.
@Rfctomo: Looks like thankfully Pauno is finally off. Vitality important that Kia has nothing to do with his replacement. #readingfc
@PaulFrankfurt71: Right call for VP to go despite shit hand. Guess we now find out how big a part of the issue the players are now. No excuse left. #readingfc
@luke_1871: Superb news re Paunovic but let’s be serious, he never should have been employed, then shouldve been sacked this time last year and he survived Kidderminster and co I’ll never know. Hopefully not too late #readingfc
@crewy100: Agree with the decision and there’s no doubt that Pauno had to be replaced. Understand and share the anger on how we’ve plummeted to such depths. Need to remember the ride we were on early to mid last season which was tremendous and exciting. Pity the way it’s finished #readingfc
@MaxHoward_15: If pauno is going then this next appt is so important. It cannot be another Kia lead risk like Pauno. A Warnock type or an in house til the end of the season if we can’t afford Warnock will have to do. They just have to have experience here, preferably in the champ #readingfc
@dinglouis_: Warnock till the end of the season to keep us up and then a longer term appointment in the summer would be perfect but that’s probably too sensible for our owners. #readingfc
@yll_cher: Never thought I would say it…. never been a fan…. I would take Warnock until the end of season #readingfc I WANT MY CLUB BACK!
@razor5edge: Give it to Valerien Ismael for me. Done a great job with Barnsley and is the kind of feisty character we need to instil some fight and discipline into this side.
@mrblthomas: If VP goes today, then for me the appointment needs to be internal. Someone who already knows the players and the requirements. We don’t have time for a “settling in period”. That said, I honestly don’t care who it is. We have to stay up to rebuild properly #readingfc
@totaldcfc: Could have done with him staying
@JacobSouthKlein: Late in the day, sense somehow prevails
@DeanBennett1993: Neil Warknock on the radio! @laura_woodsy @Mrjamieohara1 @talkSPORT ask him about the Reading job see if he wants it! #readingfc
@Luke1871_: Happy National Sack Veljko Paunovic Day Everyone! I hope you all have a great day and get what you want🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 #readingfc
— Elm Park Royals (@ElmParkRoyals) February 13, 2022
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