Paolo Di Canio has been installed as the odds-on favourite to take over as the manager of Reading, following the sacking of Brian McDermott.

Di Canio, who ended his eventful 21 months in charge of Swindon Town three weeks ago, watched Reading’s 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. McDermott left his job with the Royals lying second bottom of the Premier League, despite the 51-year-old having guided the largely unfancied club to the top flight last season. He was appointed in 2009.

Di Canio holds obvious appeal because he is currently out of work after quitting Swindon, whom he led to promotion from League Two as champions in April. The Italian has also been linked with a possible return to West Ham United should Sam Allardyce not extend his contract beyond this summer but it is his choice of weekend match venue which has triggered fervent Reading speculation. Di Canio’s only management experience is his spell at Swindon and he left them well placed to earn a second successive promotion.

Other names linked with the Reading post include Nigel Adkins, Roberto Di Matteo and the Reading coach, Nigel Gibbs.