Reading FC manager Leam Richardson believes new assistant manager John Coleman will bring the winning mentality needed to help the Royals challenge in League One this season.
Former Accrington Stanley boss Coleman has joined Richardson’s coaching staff following the departure of Rob Kelly, who left the club to move closer to his family.
Richardson, who has known Kelly for more than 30 years, said family had to come first.
“I’ve known Rob since I was 15,” he said.
“As a club we wish him and his family well.”
Coleman’s arrival gives Richardson an experienced assistant who has managed more than 1,000 matches during his career.
“It was really important to have a structure in place before pre-season,” Richardson said.
“I’ve known him for many years professionally and I know what he will bring.”
Richardson said Coleman would help create the standards he wants throughout the club.
“I don’t want Reading to be known for having a good training ground and it being a really nice place,” he said.
“I want to be known for having a good team, to be really hard-working and to represent the fans, who pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us every single week.
“It’s fantastic that we’ve got a great training ground, but it should enhance us to improve, not like a country club membership.
“I spoke about bringing an edge and John certainly brings that.”
Richardson said Coleman’s experience would prove invaluable during the highs and lows of a League One campaign.
“I have a million decisions to make every day,” he said.
“You need to be guided and pushed sometimes.
“John’s managed over a thousand games, so has seen a lot.”
The Reading boss also highlighted Coleman’s competitive nature.
“My overriding thing is that he would do anything to win,” Richardson said.
“He wants to win at darts, at tiddlywinks, at football, at snooker – he wants to win.”
Reading begin their pre-season campaign away to Farnborough on Saturday before travelling to Spain for a warm-weather training camp, which concludes with a friendly against La Liga side Getafe.
