Sunderland coach a top contender for Reading job after Paul Ince sacking
Paul Ince #PaulInce
A summer coaching change may be required at Sunderland following Reading’s decision to sack Paul Ince.
Sunderland coach Graeme Murty is a leading contender for the vacant Reading job after the Royals sacked Paul Ince on Tuesday.
Reading have slipped into the Championship relegation zone after a run of eight games without a win converged with a six-point deduction for failing to meet their financial obligations.
That has seen them part ways with boss Ince and his assistant – former Sunderland midfielder Alex Rae – although another man with Wearside connections could well be installed in their place.
Under-21s boss Noel Hunt has been handed the job until the end of the season, but his Sunderland counterpart Murty is prominent in the thinking of the Reading board.
Murty played 339 times for Reading during his career and represented the club all the way from the third tier to the Premier League. He was recently considered for the Oxford job too, and he is keen to make his way back into frontline management again after getting a brief taste of it at Rangers.
“I would like to thank Paul and Alex for their efforts throughout what has admittedly been a frustrating and exceptionally challenging season so far,” Reading head of football operations Mark Bowen said. “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.”
Reading have a very interesting, yet tough, run-in to negotiate under Hunt before any decision is made on a permanent appointment this summer.
They start with a tough home double-header against Burnley and Luton before visiting Coventry, who are battling to muscle their way into the play-offs.
The Royals then entertain Wigan, who will be already relegated by then, in the penultimate game of the season before a final-day showdown away at Huddersfield.