It's now barely a surprise when Reading FC's owners make stupid decisions to replace yet another manager who has been given hardly any time and done what might be considered a reasonable job. This this around it is Mark Bowen that is being relieved of his duties for no good reason as manager of the Reading FC first team. It's more of a shoulder shrug than anything else as Bowen steps aside in favour of another unknown manager who will turn up for a bit, do ok as Reading bump around the bottom half of the table, and then get sacked next summer or earlier.
You have to feel sorry for Bowen who was appointed Reading manager only in October last year and guided Reading to a respectable mid-table finish with 14 wins from 40 matches. He did all that was really expected of him. Bowen is expected to remain at the club but will shrink back behind the scenes, perhaps in his previous position.
The new manager is Veljko Paunovic who managed American side Chicago Fire in the MLS between 2015 and 2019, where he took them to the play-offs ones season but in his other seasons did a thoroughly average job. Paunovic was an attacking midfielder or striker in his playing days, and is a young manager at just 43. It's a strange appointment and not a very exciting one. But as always we wish Paunovic well and obviously hope he is successful.
Reading's owners put out a statement that quite frankly sounded like a load of old bollocks: "This has been a process and this appointment has been made only after long, careful consideration. After meeting with him, we found Veljko to be an exceptional candidate who impressed us immediately. I am sure he is the right man for Reading Football Club. I'm delighted he has agreed to sign as our new manager."
Paunovic takes over as Reading manger just a week before the new season kicks-off with the Royals playing Colchester United at the Madejski Stadium in the Leage Cup next Saturday. Our first league game is Saturday 12 September - a trip to Derby County. Expectations for the new season are not high.
In better news, Reading have finally secured the services of Ovie Ejaria, who finally joins the Royals permanantly on a four year contract.
Another Season Another Manager
From the Discussion
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MC McDermolenko 25 Aug 2020 · 4:55pm
As now being reported by GetReading: Mark Bowen will be moving back into a boardroom role at the club. Serbian coach Aleksandar Stanojević will be coming in as the new Reading manager. The players have been told not to come to training tomorrow and will be flying to Portugal this coming Friday for a 10-day training camp ahead of this season (presumably to meet the new manager without quarantine required). SOURCE: https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/live-reaction-bowen-howe-manager-18823130
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RM Ranty McRantface 25 Aug 2020 · 5:10pm
I would be disappointed with Bowen if he accepted this. If he really wants to be a manager he should refuse the Dai's offer and find a job elsewhere to be a football manager.
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AL alfie9 25 Aug 2020 · 5:19pm
The players have been told not to come to training tomorrow and will be flying to Portugal this coming Friday for a 10-day training camp ahead of this season (presumably to meet the new manager without quarantine required). :lol: Can you imagine, if the new guy hasn't already quarantined here that's a good indication that ZERO planning went into this appointment Good luck to Mr. Stanojevic, and God help this football club
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RO RoyalBlue 25 Aug 2020 · 5:19pm
As now being reported by GetReading: Mark Bowen will be moving back into a boardroom role at the club. Serbian coach Aleksandar Stanojević will be coming in as the new Reading manager. The players have been told not to come to training tomorrow and will be flying to Portugal this coming Friday for a 10-day training camp ahead of this season (presumably to meet the new manager without quarantine required). SOURCE: https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/live-reaction-bowen-howe-manager-18823130 Is there any real substance in this or have GetReading just picked up on a rumour on Twitter and the fact that one of the…
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SR Snowflake Royal 25 Aug 2020 · 5:26pm
I would laugh my arse off if the players went to Portugal and then had to quarantine on their return so we default on our first two or three fixtures.
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MC McDermolenko 25 Aug 2020 · 5:50pm
Courtney Friday: I have it on good authority that Bowen has ACCEPTED the club’s proposal to move back upstairs. Will still be a very important figure at the club. New manager (who I still can’t spell or pronounce) will be announced tomorrow. #readingfc This has all happened very quickly. Highly likely these talks have been going on for some time behind the scenes and they’ve only come to light now. Explains Baldock’s interview.. #readingfc
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SC Simon's Church 25 Aug 2020 · 6:00pm
Courtney Friday: I have it on good authority that Bowen has ACCEPTED the club’s proposal to move back upstairs. Will still be a very important figure at the club. New manager (who I still can’t spell or pronounce) will be announced tomorrow. #readingfc This has all happened very quickly. Highly likely these talks have been going on for some time behind the scenes and they’ve only come to light now. Explains Baldock’s interview.. #readingfc If talks have been going on since last season that's hardly things happening quickly is it? And as others have said surely if it had been in the works for a while the guy wouldn't still be…
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ZI Zip 25 Aug 2020 · 6:06pm
No idea whether the Tottenham friendly goes ahead which is ridiculous. I wish the new fellah well but suspect he will be gone by next Spring.