Reading FC have announced the appointment of Leam Richardson as the new first-team manager.
The 44-year-old replaces Noel Hunt after he was sacked at the weekend following a home draw against Doncaster Rovers which left the team in 19th position in League One.
Reading Chairman Rob Couhig said: “I have admired Leam for some time. He is a coach and leader who embodies exactly the qualities we want at Reading Football Club – hard work, diligence, organisation and an absolute commitment to improving players.
“He achieved promotion from League One in extremely difficult circumstances and proved he can build success. He is humble, he is driven, and he builds strong, honest cultures – something I know Royals fans value and respect.
“Leam knows this division, he knows what a winning dressing room looks like and he understands the standards required to get there. He is hungry, ambitious and determined to move this football club forward. We are delighted to welcome him to Reading.”
Richardson will officially begin work immediately and has appointed Danny Schofield and James Beattie to his backroom team at Bearwood Park.
Richardson was most recently manager of Rotherham United in the Championship after being appointed in December 2023 on a three-and-a-half-year deal. However, in April 2024 Richardson was sacked by the club having picked up just two wins in 24 matches, giving him a win rate of just 8.33% as Rotherham were relegated.
However, he has had great success at League One level during his time at Wigan Atheltic.
Having been through financial troubles which had led to points deductions in previous seasons, Richardson guided Wigan to promotion as champions in the 2021/22 season as they finished with 92 points. He was also named as the League One manager of the season.
He signed a new three-year deal with the Latics, but only lasted until November 2022 when he was sacked following a run of six defeats in seven matches which saw the team plummet into the relegation places.
