FORMER REPUBLIC OF Ireland international Noel Hunt has been appointed as the new manager of League One side Reading.
The Waterford man moves from his role as the club’s U21 manager to taking over from Ruben Selles who vacated the position to become the new boss at Hull earlier today. Hunt, who has signed a contract until 2027, took training on Friday before taking charge of the senior team in Saturday’s League One fixture at Wycombe Wanderers.
Hunt signed as a player with Reading in 2008 and stayed for five seasons during which time he helped his side to Championship glory in the 2011/12 campaign. He also played alongside his brother Stephen during his time at the club.
Hunt became interim manager at Reading in April 2023, taking charge of the Royals’ final five fixtures of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.
We are delighted to announce that Noel Hunt has agreed terms to become the club’s new Men's First Team Manager.
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) December 6, 2024
Noel's tenure will begin this Saturday in our Sky Bet League One fixture at Wycombe Wanderers.https://t.co/76TTRoo69J#ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/aeRm1Xy20e
His coaching team will be confirmed in due course.
There’s a few good Irish coaches making a break through in the English divisions. It’s great to see that some clubs will take off the blinkers and entertain those who offer more than celebrity status. Hard work never did anyone any harm and if the coach is a grafter, then it is usually easily passed down to their players.
Only read the headline but we must be the first country to appoint a reading manager surely are we? Great idea I think, because if lads can’t read what’s been written about them in the papers or comments section on here, how will they ever improve?