Former Reading FC boss Mark Bowen has returned to the club as Head of Football Operations.
Bowen left his managerial role at AFC Wimbledon and returned to the Royals, where has previously been manager and sporting director.
A statement released by AFC Wimbledon said: “Mark will be taking a role at a club much higher up the pyramid which will be formally announced next week.”
The Welshman initially joined the Royals in March 2019 as a technical consultant. This role was then changed to sporting director in August 2019.
Bowen was tasked in drawing up a list of potential successors to Jose Gomes after he was dismissed as manager in October.
However, Reading’s owner Mr Dai Yongge asked Bowen to take the post as manager, which he did so.
He helped to guide Reading away from the relegation zone in the 2019/20 season, rising up nine places in the table where they eventually finished in 14th.
He signed a contract extension until the end of the 2020/21, however the Reading hierarchy opted for a change just two weeks prior to the new season.
Veljko Paunovic was appointed as the new manager in August 2020, with the club asking Bowen to take up his previous role as sporting director.
However, Bowen rejected the offer to take up his previous role and departed the club.
Bowen returned to management in March 2022 with AFC Wimbledon to try and help the team stay in League One, but they were relegated.
Chief Executive Dayong Pang said, “We have a very important summer in front of us as we look to plan and prepare for another challenge in the Championship in 2022-23 – so I am delighted that Mark has agreed to join us to help spearhead those preparations as Head of Football Operations.
“Owner Mr Dai and I recognise the considerable impact an appointment of this nature can make within the structure of the club and, as well as boasting a huge level of experience in football at the highest level, in Mark we have appointed an individual who possesses a very clear, strong understanding of Reading Football Club and the specific challenges we face.
“He will provide valuable guidance, a football-driven focus and consistency across our first team and Academy age groups which we are confident will help re-establish an identity across all the pitches at Bearwood Park and develop a footballing culture which will be defined by an aim to ensure our players achieve their maximum potential. I’m very much looking forward to working with Mark once more.”
