New manager takes the reins at Madejski Stadium

Reading Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Brian McDermott as our new manager on a two-and-a-half year contract.McDermott immediately begins his second spell as boss at Madejski Stadium, having previously guided the Royals to a Wembley play-off final in May 2011, followed by promotion to the Premier League in 2011-12. He won the LMA Championship Manager of the Year award that same season and also steered the club to consecutive FA Cup quarter-finals in both 2010 and 2011.Co-Chairwoman Lady Sasima Srivikorn said, “We are all very pleased that Brian McDermott has accepted our offer to become First Team manager at Reading Football Club. History tells us he is one of only two managers to ever have earned this club promotion to the Premier League so, alongside his vast experience in football and wealth of knowledge of the game, Brian also knows exactly what it takes be successful at Reading. I am sure the players, staff and supporters will all join myself and my fellow shareholders in warmly welcoming Brian back to a club he undoubtedly has a deep understanding of and a real passion for.”“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Brian back,” said Co-Chairman Sir John Madejski. “He was able to win us promotion to the Premier League before and now it is mission to do it again. I’ve always enjoyed working with Brian, he is a great manager and I wish him every success for the future.”Chief Executive Nigel Howe said, “With a connection to the club that extends back more than 15 years, Brian has an affinity with Reading, the town, its people, the fans and their football team. His reputation within football is of the highest order and we are delighted to have him on board again. We wish him the very best of luck.”Brian is a man who knows this club inside out. The Berkshire-born boss first joined Reading as Chief Scout in September 2000, assuming the reins from Maurice Evans at Madejski Stadium whilst also taking control of our reserve team. Almost six years ago, McDermott was asked by Chairman Sir John Madejski to take over as caretaker manager at Reading following the departure of Brendan Rodgers - and he swiftly began to dramatically turn first team fortunes around.In January 2010, an exhilarating FA Cup Third Round replay win over Liverpool at Anfield became the first of a total of 76 victories McDermott masterminded during a very successful 169-game tenure at the helm.In the league, our Slough-born boss successfully steered the club away from the threat of relegation to mount an audacious late challenge for a play-off place in 2009-10. In his first full season in the hotseat, Brian masterfully guided the Royals to a fifth place finish, a two-legged play-off semi-final win over Cardiff City in Wales and then on to Wembley.Play-off heartache only served to spur McDermott and his men on to bigger and better things. The following year, a remarkable run of 15 wins in 17 games during an unforgettable second half to the season culminated in a 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium on 17th April 2012 – three points that secured promotion to the top tier for only the second time in the club’s history. The title was ours days later and Reading, under McDermott’s expert guidance, were back in the big time, where McDermott went on to win the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for January in 2013.Alongside those achievements, the Royals enjoyed unforgettable cup runs to successive FA Cup quarter-finals; having beaten Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom to reach the last eight for the first time in 83 years in 2010, McDermott promptly repeated the feat to lead Reading on another historic adventure the following season, including a second famous win on Merseyside – this time at Goodison Park – before bowing out in a narrow defeat away to eventual winners Manchester City.With more than 35 years of experience in the game as a player, coach, scout and manager, McDermott’s win ratio as Reading manager betters that of even Steve Coppell – the only other man to ever lead the Royals into the top tier of English football. So we are thrilled to announce his homecoming and wish him the very best of luck going forward.