Steve Clarke sacked by Reading: Royals dismiss manager following QPR defeat

Clarke nearly joined Fulham two weeks ago only for talks to break down at the final hurdle

Steve Clarke has been sacked by Reading (Getty Images)

Reading have sacked manager Steve Clarke following Thursday night’s 1-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers, the club have confirmed.

Reading confirmed the news on Friday morning, and the decision comes little more than a fortnight after Clarke nearly left the club in order to join Fulham, only for the west London side to pull the plug on negotiations after Clarke demanded an improved contract once an agreement had already been reached.

Given his clear indication of wanting to leave Reading, Clarke was under intense pressure to deliver results in order to give him any chance of staying afloat, but last night’s 1-0 loss to Rangers at the Madejski Stadium looks to have convinced the board to axe him with immediate effect.

A Reading statement said: "The board of Reading Football Club have this morning relieved manager Steve Clarke of his duties.

"The club met with Steve in person earlier today and we would like to place on permanent record our thanks to him for his hard work and diligence since his appointment in December 2014.

"Following Thursday night’s defeat at home to QPR, added to a recent run of poor form which has seen the team pick up just one win in the last eight Sky Bet Championship fixtures, the board feel that a change in manager is now necessary."

A late Nedum Onouha header gave Rangers victory in what was likely to have been Neil Warnock’s final match in charge of the side as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink nears a move from Burton Albion, and Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi has come under heavy criticism for his error that saw him palm the winner into the back of the net.

The statement added: "As part of this process, Assistant Manager Kevin Keen will also be leaving the club, and we would like to thank him for his efforts.

"The board of Reading Football Club are committed to taking this club forward and will immediately begin the recruitment process in search of a new manager.

"In the interim period, Under-21s Manager Martin Kuhl will take temporary charge of first team affairs and will lead training at Hogwood Park this morning.

"The club will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course."