McDermott: "It Feels Right"

Brian McDermott today was named as our new manager after a tough couple of weeks since the departure of Steve Clarke. We all know everything that McDermott did for us the first time round and I for one, am absolutely delighted to see him return three years after he left.

McDermott has signed a two and a half year contract and said at today's news conference, "My gut feel was really important for coming back. It just felt right and I'll do everything I can to be successful. Each and everyone of us have got to do the best we can. We'll leave no stone unturned. This league is all about momentum. If you can get a result on Saturday, you can roll on and get one Tuesday."

The one thing that I remembered from McDermott the first time round was that he only thinks forward to the next game, and that hasn't changed, "I'm thinking about Blackburn - I've always has the philosophy of looking at one game at a time, and that won't change."

He continued to say on Reading FC Player, "It feels right and I hope it is right for everybody. Obviously I had conversation with owners, chairman and so on so I hope it'll be a nice fit. If it didn't feel right I wouldn't have done it. It's been a year and a bit since I left Leeds. I've been working at Arsenal, and I am very thankful to them."

Co-Chairman Sir John Madejski said: "I'm absolutely delighted to welcome Brian back. He was able to win us promotion to the Premier League before and now it is his mission to do it again. I've always enjoyed working with Brian, he is a great manager and I wish him every success for the future."

Nigel Howe also added: "With a connection to the club that extends back more than 15 years, Brian has an affinity with Reading, the town, its people, the fans and their football team. His reputation within football is of the highest order and we are delighted to have him on board again. We wish him the very best of luck."

The decision for McDermott to come back into football was not a difficult one and he is looking forward to the challenge that is ahead, McDermott said: "It wasn't a tough call to come back into management. I want everyone at the club to work together. It's about all of us. It's about trying to win games of football.

"It was important I felt a structure was in place to take the club forward. I always felt my appointment was going to happen. I am very grateful for the opportunity."

There are plenty of new faces that McDermott will be meeting over the next few days as heads turn to his first fixture against Blackburn on Sunday, he added: "I was picking a Blackburn team at 1am this morning. We focus on one game at a time and that won't change. There's a talent in the group, it's a good squad of players. We need to get momentum, that's what this league is all about."

As mentioned, McDermott's first game back is at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday, so make sure you give him a well-deserved reception.