Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Roberto Di Matteo has been approached for the vacant Reading manager's job.

The Reading Post understands that Royals have made an ambitious move for the former Champions League winner who is without a club after being sacked by Chelsea.

Owner Anton Zingarevich is also keen to sound out controversial Italian Paolo Di Canio - ex boss of arch rivals Swindon Town.

Follow Royals reporter Jonny Fordham on Twitter here for all the news as it breaks

Sources have told the Post that Di Matteo is attracting interest with the possibility of a short-term deal until 2015 to help save the club from relegation with just nine games of the Premier League season remaining.

Out-going manager Brian McDermott told the paper that he was "devastated" when he was told that his 13-year affiliation with Reading was up yesterday.

Assistant manager Nigel Gibbs, a hugely popular member of the coaching set-up at Madejski Stadium, has also been relieved of his duties.

The former Watford hero had been at the club since 2006.

Academy manager Eamonn Dolan will take charge of first-team training today ahead of Saturday's game away to Manchester United.

A club statement read: "Eamonn Dolan, head of our hugely successful Academy, will assume responsibility for first team matters going into our next Barclays Premier League fixture away to Manchester United."