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SACKED! McDermott is booted out by Reading in fight for survival... and it looks like Di Canio is now waiting in the wings to take over
By John Drayton
PUBLISHED:17:32, 11 March 2013| UPDATED:19:13, 11 March 2013
Brian McDermott has been sacked as Reading fight to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
The Royals suffered a demoralising 2-1 home defeat against drop rivals Aston Villa on Saturday to push them deeper into trouble.
And McDermott, who has been left 'devastated' by the decision after being named Manager of the Month for January just 33 days ago, has paid the price as they bid to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Paolo Di Canio, who was spotted watching Reading on Saturday, is among the early favourites to take the post.
*Scroll down to watch highlights of McDermott's final match in charge
Sacked: McDermott guided Reading to the npower Championship title last season
The bottom six of the Premier League
A statement from Reading 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.
Leading contender: Former Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio was spotted at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and is the bookies favourite for the job
Ruthless: Zingarevich (left) showed no quarter in sacking McDermott
'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.'
Reading are 19th in the Premier League, four points from safety with nine matches remaining to secure their top-flight status.
McDermott took Reading up last season as champions but they have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
Famous night: Shane Long scores for Reading against Liverpool at Anfield in 2010
Taking the applause: Shane Long salutes the Reading fans after the win
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE
Brian McDermott's sacking means there are now just three English managers working in the Barclays Premier League.
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United) - 12th
Alan Pardew (Newcastle United) - 13th
Harry Redknapp (QPR) - 20th
Russian owner Anton Zingarevich has now acted to save their season - with the new manager set to start with an away match against title favourites Manchester United on Saturday.
McDermott, who had been at Reading in a backroom capacity since 2000, took over as caretaker manager at the Madejski Stadium in 2009 and led the then-Championship club to a memorable FA Cup replay victory at Anfield in January 2010.
Reading consolidated in the second tier in 2009-10, then the season after they lost in the play-off final to Swansea.
But McDermott was not to be denied and, despite Reading being around the relegation places in October 2011, they went on a stupendous run and ended up winning the Championship last season.
Overall, McDermott won 76 of his 169 games in charge of Reading, a win percentage of 45 per cent.
Wembley woe: Swansea City's Stephen Dobbie celebrates during the 2011 play-off final but it was heartbreak for Reading
Reading striker Jason Roberts paid tribute to Brian McDermott after the club parted company with their manager.
The Royals have lost four successive Barclays Premier League games and sit 19th in the table, with only goals scored keeping them off the bottom.
McDermott, 51, took over as caretaker manager at the Madejski Stadium in 2009 before being named full-time boss the following year.
He guided Reading back to the top flight last season for only the second time in their history but has been relieved of his duties following a poor run of form.
Roberts, who expects to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury, believes McDermott will make a quick return to the game.
He told Sky Sports News: 'He's a football man and a good man and I just think at this moment in time we take stock of what he has achieved and place on record our thanks.
Taking the acclaim: Reading owner Anton Zingarevich (L) and chairman Sir John Madejski (R) with Championship trophy last April - but the manager is conspicuous by his absence
'I as an individual player and I'm sure the others would like to place on record their thanks for what he and his (backroom) team have achieved for us.'
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio, Mark Hughes - ex-QPR manager - and former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley have all been linked with the role as has Nigel Adkins, who was sacked by Southampton earlier this season.
Roberts would not be drawn on who he would welcome to the Madejski Stadium, saying: 'It's not a decision we are party to.
'All we can do is concentrate on what we do on the pitch and on the training ground and do our best for Reading - I don't think anyone would say anything different.
'What we need to do is make sure we leave Reading in a good position, I think Brian McDermott has done that and I think we owe it to the club and owe it to Brian as much as anyone - to the owners, the fans and to ourselves to do the best we can and that will never change.
'What we need to do is work hard and try and keep Reading in the Premier League because that is the goal.
'I think even Brian McDermott would say the same thing, no matter what happens - whether you are in the team or not in the team, whoever is managing the team - we're here to perform for Reading Football Club and try to keep us in this league.
'It's frustrating from my point of view to not be able to be out there on the pitch helping the boys but I know they are as committed as they can be and will be in the future as well.'
Reading striker Noel Hunt used his Twitter account @boyhunt to express his disappointment at the decision, tweeting: 'Want to say thanks to Brian for everything he did for me especially. He's been a Great Manager,Man and Friend to me and will be missed!'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2NGccdnUn
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By John Drayton
PUBLISHED:17:32, 11 March 2013| UPDATED:19:13, 11 March 2013
Brian McDermott has been sacked as Reading fight to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
The Royals suffered a demoralising 2-1 home defeat against drop rivals Aston Villa on Saturday to push them deeper into trouble.
And McDermott, who has been left 'devastated' by the decision after being named Manager of the Month for January just 33 days ago, has paid the price as they bid to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Paolo Di Canio, who was spotted watching Reading on Saturday, is among the early favourites to take the post.
*Scroll down to watch highlights of McDermott's final match in charge
Sacked: McDermott guided Reading to the npower Championship title last seasonThe bottom six of the Premier LeagueA statement from Reading 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.
Leading contender: Former Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio was spotted at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and is the bookies favourite for the jobRuthless: Zingarevich (left) showed no quarter in sacking McDermott'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.'
Reading are 19th in the Premier League, four points from safety with nine matches remaining to secure their top-flight status.
McDermott took Reading up last season as champions but they have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
Famous night: Shane Long scores for Reading against Liverpool at Anfield in 2010Taking the applause: Shane Long salutes the Reading fans after the winAND THEN THERE WERE THREE
Brian McDermott's sacking means there are now just three English managers working in the Barclays Premier League.
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United) - 12th
Alan Pardew (Newcastle United) - 13th
Harry Redknapp (QPR) - 20th
Russian owner Anton Zingarevich has now acted to save their season - with the new manager set to start with an away match against title favourites Manchester United on Saturday.
McDermott, who had been at Reading in a backroom capacity since 2000, took over as caretaker manager at the Madejski Stadium in 2009 and led the then-Championship club to a memorable FA Cup replay victory at Anfield in January 2010.
Reading consolidated in the second tier in 2009-10, then the season after they lost in the play-off final to Swansea.
But McDermott was not to be denied and, despite Reading being around the relegation places in October 2011, they went on a stupendous run and ended up winning the Championship last season.
Overall, McDermott won 76 of his 169 games in charge of Reading, a win percentage of 45 per cent.
Wembley woe: Swansea City's Stephen Dobbie celebrates during the 2011 play-off final but it was heartbreak for ReadingReading striker Jason Roberts paid tribute to Brian McDermott after the club parted company with their manager.
The Royals have lost four successive Barclays Premier League games and sit 19th in the table, with only goals scored keeping them off the bottom.
McDermott, 51, took over as caretaker manager at the Madejski Stadium in 2009 before being named full-time boss the following year.
He guided Reading back to the top flight last season for only the second time in their history but has been relieved of his duties following a poor run of form.
Roberts, who expects to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury, believes McDermott will make a quick return to the game.
He told Sky Sports News: 'He's a football man and a good man and I just think at this moment in time we take stock of what he has achieved and place on record our thanks.
Taking the acclaim: Reading owner Anton Zingarevich (L) and chairman Sir John Madejski (R) with Championship trophy last April - but the manager is conspicuous by his absence'I as an individual player and I'm sure the others would like to place on record their thanks for what he and his (backroom) team have achieved for us.'
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio, Mark Hughes - ex-QPR manager - and former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley have all been linked with the role as has Nigel Adkins, who was sacked by Southampton earlier this season.
Roberts would not be drawn on who he would welcome to the Madejski Stadium, saying: 'It's not a decision we are party to.
'All we can do is concentrate on what we do on the pitch and on the training ground and do our best for Reading - I don't think anyone would say anything different.
'What we need to do is make sure we leave Reading in a good position, I think Brian McDermott has done that and I think we owe it to the club and owe it to Brian as much as anyone - to the owners, the fans and to ourselves to do the best we can and that will never change.
'What we need to do is work hard and try and keep Reading in the Premier League because that is the goal.
'I think even Brian McDermott would say the same thing, no matter what happens - whether you are in the team or not in the team, whoever is managing the team - we're here to perform for Reading Football Club and try to keep us in this league.
'It's frustrating from my point of view to not be able to be out there on the pitch helping the boys but I know they are as committed as they can be and will be in the future as well.'
Reading striker Noel Hunt used his Twitter account @boyhunt to express his disappointment at the decision, tweeting: 'Want to say thanks to Brian for everything he did for me especially. He's been a Great Manager,Man and Friend to me and will be missed!'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2NGccdnUn
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