Paul Clement has left Reading FC with immediate effect.
The 46-year-old was brought to Madejski Stadium in March by the now former CEO Ron Gourlay, tasked with keeping the Royals in the Championship after a woeful run of form under Jaap Stam.
He succeeded with two wins and a final day draw at Cardiff City, but Reading are again struggling this season and are only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference following just four wins in 20 league games.
Clement’s final game in charge came during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Stoke City but since then the Royals have appointed a new chief executive in Nigel Howe.
“Owners Mr Yongge Dai and Ms Xiu Li Dai have made the difficult decision that the time is now right to make a change,” read a club statement.
“We would like to thank Paul for his hard work during his time as manager of Reading Football Club and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours.
“CEO Nigel Howe will now seek to swiftly identify and appoint a new manager who will fit the Reading mould, build a team which can deliver performances and results that will help us climb the Championship table and lead the club towards promotion in the future.”
DRAW: Reading handed glamour FA Cup tie against Man Utd
Under-23s boss Scott Marshall will take training in the interim in the build-up to Saturday’s clash with Sheffield United, assisted by coach Nigel Gibbs.
Out-of-work Steve Bruce and Slavisa Jokanovic are among the early front-runners with the bookies to replace Clement along with familiar faces at Reading in Phil Parkinson, Graeme Murty and Alan Pardew.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCLHho9zNxY[/embedyt]