Royal rumble at Reading as McDermott gets the boot

The powers that be at Reading have decided that they need a new man to help them beat the drop after parting company with Brian McDermott today.

McDermott wasn’t known to be in danger of losing his job with the Royals, but speculation about his future at the club began to increase earlier today when the odds of him losing his job plummeted and betting was eventually suspended as his fate became clear.

Reading confirmed McDermott’s departure this evening in a statement on their website which read: “Reading Football Club has announced today the departure of Manager Brian McDermott. Owner Anton Zingarevich wishes to place on record his thanks to Brian who had achieved great success with the club since taking over as Manager in December 2009.

“Brian gained promotion to the Barclays Premier League last year for only the second time in the club’s history thanks to a remarkable run at the end of last season.  However, in our current situation, owner Anton Zingarevich felt that a change was necessary.

“The search for a successor will start immediately and it is hoped that a new Manager will be in place as soon as possible to lead the fight against potential relegation.”

Whoever does come in will have a big job on their hands as Reading are currently second from bottom of the Premier League, ahead of bottom side QPR on goal difference and a point behind Wigan, who have a game in hand on the two sides below.

With only nine games left, the Royals are four points from safety and on a run of form which has seen them pick up only one win in their last six league games.

Saying that, 'Arry looks like he might just be able to pull off the great escape over at QPR and Reading will obviously be hoping to get their hands on a man capable of working similar miracles at the Madejski between now and the end of the season.