Watford manager Chris Wilder was the clear favorite to take on League One side Reading following the sacking of Paul Ince.
TalkSPORT BET had a long list of potential suitors, including Richie Wellens and John O’Shea as previous favourites, but none came down to such a low price.
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A new contender has emerged in the betting to be the favorite for Reading’s vacant role.
Wilder, 55, is the current Watford manager with extensive management experience since 2001.
With spells at Halifax, Oxford, Northampton, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.
Former Reading striker Noel Hunt has been appointed on a temporary basis after the Royals sacked Ince at the end of the season.
Hunt’s first match was against league leaders Burnley, who had lost twice all season at the time.
A change in the squad and a sense of rejuvenation within the club has seen the Royals gain valuable points.
But in the end, with Reading winless and not having the same results as the other relegators, the club could not avoid relegation and will play in League One next season.
There are several factors that make the club a promising club for any manager looking to bring in more players and style, as the squad has a number of players leaving this season.
It comes after their two-year transfer embargo, which only leaves a handful of players under contract for next season, but could see more players leave for Championship football.
Rankings of Upcoming Sustainable Learning Leaders
- Chris Wilder 1/3
- Steve Cotterill 4/1
- Danny Cowley 4/1
- Richie Whalen 8/1
- The Christmas Beast 12/1
- John O’Shea12/1
- Carl Robinson 16/1
- Graham Murty 20/1
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O’Shea’s association with the club is unsurprising given he was with the Championship side in 2018/19 – making nine appearances under three different managers before moving into a coaching role over two more seasons.
Reading have named former Manchester United stars, including Jaap Stam, who helped them reach the play-off final against Huddersfield in 2016/17.
The Royals suffered another six-point deficit on 4 April, pushing them further into the relegation battle.
In November 2021, the first penalty for breaching the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules saw the club deduct six points, with a further six suspended points set for the end of the 2022/23 season.
When this was implemented, the club had to adhere to a transfer embargo and strict rules to avoid any further penalties.
But the club failed to execute the business plan – sending the team straight into the relegation zone with poor results.
There are four games left in the season but Reading face third-placed Luton Town, Coventry, Wigan and Huddersfield in their final clashes of the season.
Whoever gets the job and wherever Reading end up at the end of the season, the manager will have a major overhaul on his hands this summer, with the vast majority of players leaving their respective loan and short-term contracts.
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