Manchester United legend Paul Ince axed after Preston North End defeat | OneFootball

Manchester United icon Paul Ince has been axed by Reading. The sacking follows a run of poor form that saw the club struggle through an eight-game winless run.

The losing streak includes the club’s latest 2-1 defeat at the hands of Preston North End on Easter Monday.

The forgettable Easter Monday scoreline leaves Reading in the unenviable position of 22nd in the Championship.

Ince has since exited the manager role, with Noel Hunt appointed interim manager (via The Mirror).

When it rains, it pours

55-year-old Ince’s departure comes just seven days after Reading accepted a six-point dedication for breaching financial rules.

The former United midfielder and England International’s stint at the club lasted just over a year.

His tenure at the Select Car Leasing Stadium occurred eight years after his exit from Blackpool.

The departure confirmed

Reading released a statement that read:

“Reading Football Club can confirm that the contract of first-team manager Paul Ince has been terminated with immediate effect.

“Ince was appointed initially on an interim basis with his assistant Alex Rae in February 2022 and, alongside the likes of Academy Manager Michael Gilkes and Under-18s manager Mikele Leigertwood in the dugout, he did an admirable job in helping the club stave off the threat of relegation with four wins from the final 14 fixtures last season.

“Ince took the reins permanently in the summer and, having to cope with strict transfer embargo restrictions, he helped to piece together a new squad on a much-reduced wage budget – and with five wins from our first seven home games, the season began brightly.

“However, without a win in our last eight matches and with a relegation battle to fight following a six-point deduction imposed last week, owner Mr. Dai Yongge has decided that a change is needed. Assistant Manager Alex Rae has also departed the club.”

“Our Under-21s Manager and former Royals striker, Noel Hunt, has been installed as Interim First Team Manager until the end of the season.”

“Director of Player Development, Eddie Niedzwiecki, will be his Assistant Manager accompanied by First Team Coach James Oliver-Pearce – a management team who will take to the home dugout for the first time when we host league leaders Burnley at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.”

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