Paul Ince is sacked by Reading after stoppage-time defeat at Preston left the Royals stranded in the relegation zone… with ex-striker and Under 21 boss Noel Hunt put in interim charge until the end of the season
- Paul Ince dismissed after Reading dropped into the Championship bottom three
- Reading were beaten 2-1 after conceding in stoppage time at Preston North End
- Ince departs along with assistant Alex Rae following 14 months in charge
Paul Ince has been sacked by Reading after they dropped into the Championship relegation zone.
The former Manchester United and England international was axed amid the club’s poor form following an eight-match winless run including the latest defeat in the 2-1 loss at Preston North End on Easter Monday.
Poor form on the pitch has come at the worst possible time too given the club were also hit with six-point deduction for the second successive season for breaking financial rules of the Football League.
He had been on the brink of departure with his future discussed on Saturday by the board following Good Friday’s 1-1 stalemate with Birmingham City.
The Championship club released a statement on their website confirming that Ince had left the club along with assistant Alex Rae, who both had joined the club on an interim basis 14 months ago.
Paul Ince looks an following Reading’s late 2-1 defeat at Preston North End on Easter Monday
Ince praised his side’s effort but questioned their character following the costly defeat
It added that Ince had done an ‘admirable job in helping the club stave off the threat of relegation with four wins from the final 14 fixtures last season.’
It also noted how Ince landed the role permanently in the summer amid having to cope with a strict transfer embargo and a much reduced wage budget.
Owner Dai Yongge though felt it was important to act now in a bid to change the club’s fortunes following eight matches without a win and just five matches left of the season to climb out of the bottom three.
Former Royals striker and current Under-21 boss Noel Hunt has been put in interim charge until the end of the season.
Director of Player Development, Eddie Niedzwiecki, will be his assistant accompanied by first team coach James Oliver-Pearce and will be in the dugout for…