Reading Appoints Leam Richardson as New Manager
Reading Football Club has appointed Leam Richardson as their new manager following the departure of former boss Noel Hunt last weekend.
The 45-year-old has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, extending through the summer of 2027.
Richardson was most recently with Rotherham United and previously managed Wigan Athletic from 2020 to 2022, leading them to win the League One title during his tenure.
Hunt's contract was terminated by Reading on Sunday after a disappointing start to the season, leaving the team in 19th place in the League One table.
“I have admired Leam for some time,” said Royals owner Rob Couhig. “He is a coach and leader who embodies the qualities we want at Reading – hard work, diligence, organization, and an absolute commitment to improving players.”
“He achieved promotion from League One under challenging circumstances and has demonstrated his ability to build success. He is humble, driven, and fosters strong, honest cultures – attributes that Royals fans value and respect.”
“Leam understands this division and knows what a winning dressing room looks like. He is hungry, ambitious, and determined to advance this football club. We are delighted to welcome him to Reading.”
Joining Richardson in the coaching staff will be Danny Schofield and former Southampton striker James Beattie.
Richardson was dismissed from his role at Wigan in 2022 due to a poor start to the Championship season and was more recently let go by Rotherham following their relegation from the Championship in April 2024.
Before managing, the former defender served as assistant manager to Paul Cook at Portsmouth, Chesterfield, and Accrington Stanley, transitioning from player to coach during his career.
Richardson's playing career began at Blackburn Rovers, where he later made over 100 appearances for Accrington and played 84 times for Blackpool.
Analysis by BBC Radio Berkshire's Reading commentator Tim Dellor:
Richardson's most notable achievement was securing Wigan's promotion from League One to the Championship in 2022. Reading fans will hope he can replicate this success over the next 18 months, although he may require more time and luck than Noel Hunt was afforded.
His first match in charge will be the FA Cup first round against Carlisle this Saturday, followed by games against Stevenage and his former clubs, Wigan and Rotherham.
In recent years, Reading has opted for a variety of managerial styles, including Spanish, Serbian, and Portuguese candidates, as well as an ex-England international and club legend. Richardson, however, represents a departure from this trend, which could prove advantageous.
He will need to perform miracles to bring the current squad close to the Championship this season. With only 14 games played, anything is possible; however, the team is currently facing challenges, including a lack of fit strikers, injury-prone defenders, an injured first-choice goalkeeper, and new recruits struggling to make an impact. Therefore, expectations should remain modest.
More updates will follow.