Reading manager odds: Former Man United defender out to 5/1, Richie Wellens now favourite ahead of Noel Hunt
Richie Wellens, Leyton Orient manager, is now the favourite to takeover at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
talkSPORT BET have lengthened the odds on former Man United defender and Reading coach John O'Shea to 5/1 to be the new manager in Berkshire.
O'Shea being linked to the club isn't too surprising due to his stint for the Championship side in the 2018/19 season - making nine appearances before switching to a coaching role for a further two seasons alongside three different managers.
However, a new contender has emerged in the betting to become the clear favourite for the vacant Reading role.
Wellens has lead Orient to the League Two title and makes him a great addition if Reading are to go down to League One.
Paul Ince was sacked after Preston beat Reading 2-1, marking eight straight games without a win.
The Royals have only won twice since the start of 2023 and are on the cusp of relegation from the Championship.
Former Reading FC striker and at the time U21 Manager, Hunt was appointed on an interim basis.
Hunt's first match was against the league leaders Burnley who have only lost twice all season, yet changes to the squad and a rejuvenated feeling among the club saw the Royals claim a valuable point.
But former Reading captain Graeme Murty also has strong claims to return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Murty played right-back in Reading's most successful years, achieving promotion in the 2005/06 season while obtaining a 106-point record in the league.
The 48-year-old made a total of 306 appearances and soon after retirement, had a small stint as manager for Rangers between 2017 and 2018.
Next Permanent Reading manager odds
- Richie Wellens 2/1
- John O'Shea 5/1
- Noel Hunt 6/1
- Karl Robinson 12/1
- Graeme Murty 14/1
- Lee Johnson 16/1
- Danny Cowley 20/1
- Nathan Jones 25/1
Reading have previous on appointing former Man United stars, including Jaap Stam back in the 2016/17 season, who helped them to the Play-Off final against Huddersfield.
The Royals were hit with another six points deduction on April 4, pushing them further into a relegation battle.
An initial punishment from breaking the EFL rules of Financial Fair Play in November 2021 saw the club deducted six points with another suspended six points set for the end of the 2022/23 season.
While this was undertaken the club would have to adhere to a transfer embargo and strict rules to ensure no further punishment would be undertaken.
But the club failed to comply with the business plan - which has sent the side, along with poor string of results, right into the drop zone.
There are just four matches left of the season but Reading face third placed Luton Town, Coventry, Wigan and Huddersfield in their final clashes of the season.
Whoever does get the job and wherever Reading finish at the end of the season, the manager will have a big rebuild on their hands this summer with the vast majority of players leaving their respective loan spells and short-term contracts.
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