Steve Bruce The Early Favourite To Be Reading’s Next Manager

Paul Clement has been out of the door at Reading only a couple of hours, but as ever, speculation has already begun about who will replace him as Royals manager. It has been confirmed that Under-23s boss Scott Marshall (himself 16/1 to take the job on a permanent basis) will take charge against Sheffield United on Saturday, before a decision is then likely made.

Steve Bruce, first linked with the Royals back in October, has been installed as the early favourite for the position at 2/1. The 57-year-old has over 20 years of managerial experience, winning promotion from the Championship three times. He was most recently in charge of Aston Villa, who sacked him on October 3rd.

As soon as Slavisa Jokanovic was sacked as Fulham boss last month, many Reading fans clamoured for him to take over at the Madejski Stadium. The Serbian is currently the second favourite at 5/1.

The official club statement declared that new CEO Nigel Howe will look to appoint a new manager “who will fit the Reading mould”, so it’s no surprise to see club legends Phil Parkinson and Graeme Murty (both 7/1) also high up on the odds list. Parkinson is currently at the helm at Bolton Wanderers, who sit on the same points total as Reading in the Championship, whilst Murty is in charge of Rangers’ Under-20 team. The pair amassed over 700 appearances for the Royals between them in their playing careers.

Behind those four, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth (8/1) has shot up the list, whilst it’s unsurprising to see a host of unemployed bosses linked with the job, including Francesco Guidolin (10/1), former manager and public enemy number one Alan Pardew (11/1) and Carlos Carvalhal (12/1).

Some of the more unlikely candidates to be listed by the bookmakers are the two managers to previously lead the Royals into the Premier League, Steve Coppell (16/1) and Brian McDermott (20/1), as well as everyone’s favourite jungle camp mate Harry Redknapp (25/1).

All odds correct at the time of writing and courtesy of SkyBet. #Gambleaware