Reading FC owner Rob Couhig has moved to firmly dismiss reports suggesting he is considering downgrading the club’s academy or selling its training ground to fund the first team.
An article published in City AM claimed the American businessman, who completed a takeover of the League One club last summer, was exploring “radical measures” to reduce costs, including stepping down from Category One academy status or selling key infrastructure assets.
However, Couhig has described those claims as “categorically untrue” following the article’s publication on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) said Couhig had contacted several fans, including members of its board, to directly refute the report and reiterate his commitment to the club’s long-term infrastructure.
“One of the most reassuring aspects of Rob Couhig’s takeover was his clear appreciation that our training ground and CAT1 academy status were of huge importance to the club and a source of pride to the fans,” the statement read.
“Despite persistent pre-takeover rumours, Mr Couhig has consistently reassured fans in subsequent media engagements that there are no plans to downgrade the training ground and CAT1 status, so we were alarmed to see today’s article.”
The trust added that Couhig had since confirmed the claims were unfounded and urged supporters “not to panic”.
Couhig, who purchased Reading for around £25m after the club’s prolonged financial difficulties under previous ownership, has been a vocal critic of the English Football League’s financial framework. He has publicly argued for stricter cost controls, including a hard salary cap supported by a luxury tax, to improve sustainability across the divisions.
Reading currently operate a Category One academy, the highest classification in English football, which has produced a number of top-level players in recent years, including Michael Olise, who is now one of Europe’s best young players and plays for Bayern Munich.
While Couhig has acknowledged the need to review the club’s overall cost base as part of stabilising its finances, supporters say he has consistently stressed that the academy and training ground are central to Reading’s identity and future strategy.
STAR concluded its statement by encouraging fans to focus on matters on the pitch, adding it was looking forward to “seeing the outputs of our training ground and academy start 2026 with a win and a charge up the League One table.”
