Reading FC: Noel Hunt handed fresh blow by departing West Brom figure | OneFootball

Reading may have to wait a short while longer to confirm Noel Hunt's No.2

Reading have suffered a setback in their mission to appoint Richard Beale as their new assistant manager.

The experienced Nigel Gibbs previously held that role, but left to join Ryan Mason’s backroom staff at West Bromwich Albion in June, leaving head coach Noel Hunt to seek a replacement.

After falling just short last season, Reading are looking to fight for the League One play-offs once more next term under Hunt and their new owner Rob Couhig, who took over the club from the disgraced Dai Yongge earlier this year, but bolstering the coaching staff is proving to be more of a challenge.

Richard Beale update issued amid Reading assistant manager offer

It was expected that Beale would replace Gibbs at Reading after he departed West Brom following Mason’s appointment.

Colleagues at the Baggies wished him good luck on his move to Berkshire, all but confirming the move to be Hunt's new right-hand man.

However, it has now been revealed that this may no longer be the case.

As per the Reading Chronicle, it is reported that Beale has attracted interest from multiple other clubs, and the fact he has not put pen to paper on a contract with the Royals means that he could now be heading elsewhere.

Reading’s owner Couhig confirmed to Greatest Hits Radio that the decision is 'to be determined’, after it emerged that Beale may not fill the vacancy after all.

"I am trying to think about how I can answer that and not do violence to the various privacy arguments that exist," Couhig said.

"The best thing I can say is to be determined. There is a lot of people and things at play so we’re trying to work through things.”

Great optimism currently surrounds Reading, after Yongge’s reign was brought to an end earlier this year.

On the pitch, there was good reason to be excited about the Royals’ future last term, as they finished just three points shy of the League One play-offs.

Now that exciting feeling is matched behind the scenes, which means that supporters at the SCL Stadium can begin to harbour real ambition ahead of next season.

Reaching the top six will be the aim for Noel Hunt’s side and acquiring Beale would certainly help their cause.

The 46-year-old has spent the last four years with West Brom and will know what it takes in the dressing room to become a competitive Championship outfit.

That is the level that Reading will hope to get back to in the coming years, which makes acquiring Beale’s services all the more important.

Wherever the coach’s future lies, Hunt and Co. will hope to clear up the situation sooner rather than later and turn full attention to

preparations for the 2025/26 League One campaign.