Betting suggests Brian McDermott is set for a Reading return
Published:
Brian McDermott could be set to return to the scene of his greatest managerial successes having been backed into odds-on favouritism to be the next Reading manager.
The 54-year-old hasn’t managed since leaving Leeds United in May 2014 after a 13 month spell with the club, and would undoubtedly be a popular choice amongst the Royals fanbase.
Following his dismissal from Elland Road, he spent much of last season at Arsenal as Chief Scout, a role in which he made his name at Reading.
Available to back at 20/1 last Friday to be the man to replace Steve Clarke, who was relieved of his duties following the 1-0 defeat to QPR, a persistent flow of money has seen McDermott backed into 8/11 to return.
His spell at the Madjeski Stadium was littered with success, guiding the Berkshire side to the FA Cup Quarter Finals in 2010, before taking them back to the Premier League in 2012.
He was dismissed by then owner Anton Zingarevich the following season, after Reading suffered four straight top-flight defeats to leave them four points from safety.
There will be no awkward reunions should the club approach their former boss this time round though, with the Russian billionaire selling the club to new Thai owners last year.
Should he get the nod, McDermott would be tasked with ending Reading’s poor form that has seen them win just one of their last eight matches.
Ladbrokes have the Royals as a 13/8 shot to make the top-six, while they’ve been chalked up as a 7/1 chance to return to the Premier League next season for the first time in four years.
The odds suggest their former manager is the one that will have that opportunity, with Nigel Pearson (5/2) the only other single figure price in the bookmaker’s market.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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