Former Republic of Ireland striker Noel Hunt has been appointed Reading's interim manager following the sacking of Paul Ince.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder has been dismissed as Reading manager after a dismal run of results that has left the club fighting for Sky Bet Championship survival.
Hunt has been placed in charge until the end of the campaign following Ince’s dismissal, which comes on the back of eight matches without a win and with the club sitting 22nd in the standings.
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A statement on Tuesday morning read: “Reading can confirm that the contract of first-team manager Paul Ince has been terminated with immediate effect. Assistant manager Alex Rae has also departed the club.
“Our under-21s manager and former Royals striker, Noel Hunt, has been installed as interim first-team manager until the end of the season.”
Ince was appointed at Reading on an interim basis in February 2022 and helped the Royals maintain their status in the second tier last season with four wins from their remaining 14 fixtures.
The former England player took permanent charge last summer but Reading were plunged into trouble last week after being deducted six points for breaching EFL financial rules.
A 2-1 loss to play-off hopefuls Preston on Easter Monday extended Reading’s winless run and left them a point adrift of safety with just five matches of the season remaining.
Reading’s head of football operations Mark Bowen said: “I would like to thank Paul and Alex for their efforts throughout what has admittedly been a frustrating and exceptionally challenging season so far. We would like to wish them well in their future endeavours.
“The board will work diligently to identify the manager who is the best fit for this football club going forward – a candidate capable of driving it towards a healthier, brighter future.
“However, for the next five games, our only focus is on doing everything we can to survive this season.”
Hunt is stepping up from his position as under-21s manager and will be assisted by director of player development Eddie Niedzwiecki and first-team coach James Oliver-Pearce.
The new management team will take charge of Reading for the first time on Saturday when they welcome league leaders and already-promoted Burnley to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
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