We officially have our first ‘Clement on the brink’ rumour, folks. After a run just two wins in twelve league games that has left Reading only outside of the Championship relegation zone on goal difference in this October international break, the infamous Alan Nixon has suggested on Twitter that the pressure is growing on the 46-year-old and that Phil Parkinson could be the man to replace him.
There’s no ‘Bit In Paper’ added on to the end so I suppose that’s all the information we’re getting for now.
It’s not an awful lot to go on, and considering no other news outlet has picked it up (yet), you would be right to question the truth in it. Having said that, the fact that Clement is ‘under growing pressure’ isn’t exactly hard to presume. If the pressure wasn’t growing with the form the Royals are under then there would be something seriously wrong at the club. Well, if there wasn’t something seriously wrong already.
The most interesting part is the mention of Phil Parkinson’s name, with the former Royals midfielder a true club legend having made over 400 appearances in 11 years in Berkshire. Currently the Bolton manager, who he led to Championship survival on a dramatic final day last season after winning promotion from League One in 2016-17, the 50-year-old has also previously managed Colchester United, Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Bradford City.
Again, whether Nixon is just making this connection or whether Ron Gourlay/Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li really would want Parkinson in charge is unknown.
With Jaap Stam having left the club during an international break in March, it wouldn’t have been unfathomable to suggest that Reading would use a similar period to switch managers this month. But with a week having passed since the 4-1 defeat to West Brom, and now under a week to go until Millwall visit the Madejski Stadium, I would personally be surprised to see a change in dugout at this moment in time.
Have your say! Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter if you would like to see Clement depart and/or whether Parkinson would be a good fit to replace him.