Luis Castro To Be Reading’s Next Manager?

According to several reports in Portugal, Reading are keen on making Vitória Guimarães boss Luis Castro their new manager.

A former right-back, the 57-year-old only joined Vitória back in May, and has led them to fifth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga table so far this season, with five wins, three draws and three defeats from 11 games. They are currently on an eight game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Castro has never managed outside of Portugal, having previously taken charge of teams such as Porto, Rio Ave and Chaves in a 20 year managerial career.

Former Reading winger Paolo Hurtado spent two seasons at Vitoria (one on loan) after his exit from the Madejski Stadium two years ago, before moving to Turkish side Konyaspor in July. It seems that his replacement was an another ex-Royal, Ola John, who signed just a day after Hurtado departed.

The rumour originated with Abola, who claim that the Royals would pay €1 million (just over £890,000) to Vitoria in compensation, and also hand Castro a yearly salary of around €1 million. The only teams in Portugal able to match this are Benfica and Porto.

Record suggest that Reading currently have officials over in Portugal trying to negotiate a deal, agreeing that €1 million will be the figure needed to release Castro from his contract.

Castro was questioned on the rumours in his pre-match press conference ahead of Vitoria’s game with Rio Ave on Sunday, but gave very little away, telling the media:

“My head is totally focused on the game with Rio Ave and all I can say is I’ll do it [speak about the rumours] on Monday, which is my day off and I’m totally free to address any issues that are outside of Vitoria.

“In my life I always walked with my conscience, I do not walk with what others think or do not. What others thought when I was in the district did not interest me, what they thought when I was in the 3rd division did not interest me. nothing, what other people think when I’m in the 1st League, I’m not interested in anything, I’m only interested in my conscience, what I do in my day-to-day life, I dedicate myself completely to my work and profession”

By not totally dismissing the rumours, the 57-year-old has only add fuel to the speculation, and it will be interesting to see what Monday brings, if anything. SkyBet now make Castro the favourite to be Reading’s next manager at 11/10, with Steve Bruce, Slavisa Jokanovic and Graeme Murty behind him.