In a 10.30am press conference the Royals finally unveiled Steve Coppell as their new manager. The 48-year-old former Man Utd player has finally put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
For days now rumours had been circulating that Coppell was set to walk out on Brighton & Hove Albion alan pardew-style to take charge of the Royals. After days of delays the club finally called a press conference this morning.
In front of the flashing camera bulbs Coppell this morning revealed his glee at landing the Reading manager's role.
"I am delighted to be here and looking forward to getting on with the job in hand," he revealed.
"This is a very ambitious club and I am looking forward to working with the players and staff as we aim for the Premiership.
"The infrastructure is here for Reading to be a Premiership club, and this is an opportunity for me to try to pit my wits against the best and hopefully get into the Premiership."
Reading will hope to get their promotion campaign back on track as soon as possible after an atrocious run of results that has seen them slip from second to twelfth in the league. alan pardew announced his resignation on September 10th, and since then the Royals have lost four, drawn one and won just once.
Coppell, who so nearly led an average Brentford side to promotion two years ago, will make his Reading debut at the Madejski Stadium next Tuesday when his new side take on Gillingham.
Chairman John Madejski has worked tirelessly ever since alan pardew revealed his intention to do the dirty on Reading. The Royals chief is now calling on Royals supporters to give Coppell a huge welcome next Tuesday.
The former Auto Trader owner said: "I look forward to working with Steve and I hope Reading fans give him a big welcome at the game against Gillingham on Tuesday.
"He is a vastly experienced manager who remains extremely ambitious and is determined to take us into the Premiership."
The Liverpool-born manager has enjoyed three successful stints at Crystal Palace, the first of which saw future Royals boss alan pardew under his control. pards then of course outdid his former boss a year-and-a-half ago when his Reading side beat Coppell's Brentford outfit to promotion. It would be a beautiful correction if Coppell, the master, was to this season defeat pardew the pupil.
*Reading MAD have intentionally avoided using capital letters when unfortunately having to name the previous Royals manager.