The inevitable poll for the next Reading manager

[SouthDownsRoyal]

First of all I don’t like that when it looked like he was on the verge of success he ditched Wycombe for a relegation fight with Luton.

The previous seasons he finished mid table or their about. (Our fans would want him sacked after 10 games)

Why sack a manager to replace him with the same thing?

Are we in mid table?

3 points of 12th with a lot of the season still to go.

True.

We are also two points off the drop zone and five points from bottom

[Jackson Corner]

Andoni Iraola has earned the chance to manage a big club.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Andoni Iraola has earned the chance to manage a big club.

WCBAP

[Snowflake Royal]

Are we in mid table?

3 points of 12th with a lot of the season still to go.

True.

We are also two points off the drop zone and five points from bottom

Glass half empty right.

[Snowflake Royal]

Wellens is the best realistic option on the list.

I don’t think it will be any of them.

Not keen on Bloomfield. Not interested in someone who'll jump ship immediately from a decent project just for more cash.

[Clyde1998]

He had Wycombe flying, and he won 6 of Luton's final 12 last season and was unlucky to be relegated, despite them being firmly in the mire when he took over.

Anyone who doesn't see him as an upgrade on Hunt needs their head checked.

They were, but you could argue Noel Hunt had us flying between February and the end of last season - thirty-four points from eighteen matches (1.89 ppg). That was his second full season at Wycombe too - will he get to that stage?

Even having a look on the Wycombe forum for their views, they seem fairly lukewarm about him - the highest rated comment on the thread about us sacking Hunt is "I’m not sure anyone on here has any strongly held view either way to be honest".

Luton had a squad which shouldn't've been in a relegation battle to begin with, imo, and have underperformed with the squad they have this season.

Not sure he's shown a lot - results wise at least - to justify sacking Hunt to bring him in.

Wycombe fan here - the reason that quote is popular is that it is sarcastic....Wycombe fans who know what went on are furious he was pushed out of the club when promotion was in our grasp. The new owners kept telling Bloomfield he was not wanted, even from the summer, but did not want the bad optics of sacking a manager doing well. So they kept sacking staff out from under him, and using some absolutely baffling passive-aggressive (and outright aggressive) tactics to make him want to leave.

In the calendar year 2024, he gained 87 points from 45 games, and we did not really splash the cash till after he was ousted. He will be a brilliant manager for someone, but it is all about fit.

Thanks for the context.

What's your impression on his style of play? Do you think he only did well at Wycombe because expectations were relatively low?

[Clyde1998]

Wellens is the best realistic option on the list.

Would agree, but can't imagine we'll end up with a manager we'd have to pay compensation tbh.

[RG30]

Everything would point to Matt Bloomfield but Luke Williams is my choice. Excellent spell at Notts County.

[Snowflake Royal]

Wellens is the best realistic option on the list.

Would agree, but can't imagine we'll end up with a manager we'd have to pay compensation tbh.

I don’t think we'd pay a lot. But we're no longer under Dai. Couhig is careful and wants to get things in check, but I think he'll pay where he needs to, within reason.

I doubt very much his short list of 3 are all unemployed.

Whether Wellens would want to come is more doubtful.

Poor Charlie if he leaves us to play under his Dad only for his Dad to move to us a few months later.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

3 points of 12th with a lot of the season still to go.

True.

We are also two points off the drop zone and five points from bottom

Glass half empty right.

Not really just highlighting there are two sides to stats.

[Sutekh]

Whoever comes in will have their work cut out. You are only as good as your players. And this is a really poor group.
Feel for Hunt recruitment was left to late due to the takeover and we were left with dregs.

Don’t think it’s a poor group; Williams, Des, Ritchie, Marriott, Wing, Elliott, Lane and even WiFi are decent enough. The problems we have are largely the unsettled full backs and I think a serious lack of in game management.

I think it’ll be beneficial to get away from someone who is quite so close to the club and everything that’s been going on.

[Ascotexgunner]

Is a temporary manager until Ainsworth returns an option? Just putting it out there.
I just hope it's someone who has tasted success at this level, no more newbies, foreign managers we have never heard of, journeyman, or caretaker stand in appointments, or failures, has-beens etc.....Just an experienced manager with a decent CV, has worked with youngsters successfully and built a team/unit and tasted success to some point.

Have to admit I was shocked by our fans chants yesterday (think I was more shocked at Billy Sharpe's hand shandy gestures at us yesterday in the west stand so openly and getting unpunished). If you were one of Couhigs investors, you must be worrying looking at the performances and it didn't suprise me apart from the timing of the sacking. I thought he might have had the Cup game or Stevenage.

[Hound]

Challinor has done a superb job at Stockport. Wellens would be a very good shout I think - but not sure either would come

I’d be happy with Bloomfield. As long as him and JJ are reading from the same page, I’m not sure JJ and Hunt were.

[Ascotexgunner]

Challinor has done a superb job at Stockport. Wellens would be a very good shout I think - but not sure either would come

I’d be happy with Bloomfield. As long as him and JJ are reading from the same page, I’m not sure JJ and Hunt were.

Challinor would be an absolute steal. Just chatting to a Wycombe mate. Didn't realise Wycombe fans were furious when Bloomfield was sacked. Seems to have the credentials.

[Royal Rother]

COLIN

[Half Horse]

I'm sure it will be Bloomfield.

Success at this level.
Previous working relationship with RC and JJ.
Available immediately.
No compensation to pay.

Expect the announcement before Wednesday.

[windermereROYAL]

Why is Selles on there? he`s only just started a new job in Spain.

[Snowflake Royal]

COLIN

So we can look for another manager for next season, no matter what?

No ta.

[Ascotexgunner]

Why is Selles on there? he`s only just started a new job in Spain.

Probably available again next week with his record since leaving us.

[Shev]

They were, but you could argue Noel Hunt had us flying between February and the end of last season - thirty-four points from eighteen matches (1.89 ppg). That was his second full season at Wycombe too - will he get to that stage?

Even having a look on the Wycombe forum for their views, they seem fairly lukewarm about him - the highest rated comment on the thread about us sacking Hunt is "I’m not sure anyone on here has any strongly held view either way to be honest".

Luton had a squad which shouldn't've been in a relegation battle to begin with, imo, and have underperformed with the squad they have this season.

Not sure he's shown a lot - results wise at least - to justify sacking Hunt to bring him in.

Wycombe fan here - the reason that quote is popular is that it is sarcastic....Wycombe fans who know what went on are furious he was pushed out of the club when promotion was in our grasp. The new owners kept telling Bloomfield he was not wanted, even from the summer, but did not want the bad optics of sacking a manager doing well. So they kept sacking staff out from under him, and using some absolutely baffling passive-aggressive (and outright aggressive) tactics to make him want to leave.

In the calendar year 2024, he gained 87 points from 45 games, and we did not really splash the cash till after he was ousted. He will be a brilliant manager for someone, but it is all about fit.

Thanks for the context.

What's your impression on his style of play? Do you think he only did well at Wycombe because expectations were relatively low?

We played the best football we have ever played (and that is according to fans who have watched for decades) once it all clicked for him. He would mix it up between playing through the lines or passing through them. He was always determined to attack, and for a while we were averaging over 2 goals per game and battering some great sides. The peak was beating Stockport 5-0 away last season sandwiched between Stockport themselves hammering two other sides. Even Stockport fans were saying it should have been 7 or 8.

That all being said, it is about fit, and the recruitment was spot on from Bloomfield and his head of recruitment to get the right players in. It sounds like your squad may be a challenge for anyone.