Man Utd legend to coach Reading's Nigeria U23 star, 2013 Golden Eaglets invitee on interim basis

Published: February 19, 2022

Through their official website, Reading have announced that the contract of first team manager Veljko Paunović has been terminated by mutual consent.

It has been speculated that the former Atlético Madrid striker will be fired and that has now happened despite the Royals beating Preston North End 3-2 in the Championship on Saturday.

Paunović spent eighteen months in the Reading dugout and the Serbian will be succeeded on an interim basis by legendary Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince.

Ince, who also wore the colours of Liverpool and West Ham United in his playing career, will begin coaching Nigeria U23 international Tom Dele-Bashiru and 2013 Golden Eaglets invitee Ovie Ejaria in the coming days.

Watford-owned midfielder Dele-Bashiru joined Reading on a season-long loan last August and the deal has no option to buy.

The 22-year-old played 29 matches under Paunović with four goals to his name while Ejaria was in action for 4,453 minutes spread across 53 matches in all competitions.

2017 U20 World Cup winner with England, Ejaria picked up an injury in training and has not been involved in Reading's last four matches.

Igho Kingsley

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