Reading appoint Richardson as new manager

Following Noel Hunt’s departure over the weekend, Reading appointed Leam Richardson as their new manager.

The 45-year-old has a one-year, half-year contract with Select Car Leasing Stadium through 2027.

Richardson previously led Wigan Athletic between 2020 and 2022, when they won the League One title. Prior to that, Richardson most recently served Rotherham United.

Reading terminated Hunt’s contract on Sunday following a subpar season that had put the Royals 19th in the League One standings.

Owner of the Royals, Rob Couhig, stated, “I have admired Leam for a while.”

He is a coach and leader who embodies the qualities we seek in Reading: “he is a leader who has a relentless focus on improving players.”

He was humble, determined, and he built strong, honest cultures, which I know the Royals’ fans value and respect. He was promoted from League One in extremely difficult circumstances.

“Leam is familiar with this division, he is aware of how to create a winning dressing room, and he is aware of the requirements there.” He is determined to advance this football team with his energy, ambition, and determination. He will be greatly welcomed to Reading, in our hearts.

Danny Schofield and James Beattie, both of whom played for Southampton, will also be joining Richardson.

Following a subpar start to the Championship season, Richardson was fired from Wigan in 2022. The Millers did the same after their promotion to the Championship in April 2024.

Prior to joining the two clubs, the former defender transitioned from a player to a coach at Portsmouth, Chesterfield, and Accrington Stanley as assistant manager of Paul Cook.

Tim Dellor, a reading commentator for BBC Radio Berkshire,

The best thing Richardson did was extinguish Wigan from League One and return to the Championship in 2022.

Reading fans hope he can emulate Noel Hunt’s success in the next 18 months, but he will need a little more luck and time to do it.

His first game in charge will be against Carlisle on Saturday in the FA Cup first round, followed by Wigan and Rotherham, both of his former clubs, in Stevenage.

Prior to this, Reading chose the Spaniard, Serbian, and Portuguese smooth-talking, culturally adept options, an ex-international superstar player, a legendary Reading player, and the club’s director of football.

Richardson is not one of the things above, which would be a good place to start. Over the past few years, they have tried all kinds of managers.

To bring the current squad to the championship this year, he will need to work miracles.