Reading sack Steve Clarke just two weeks after he snubbed Fulham job following QPR loss

Steve Clarke has been sacked as Reading manager

READING have sacked boss Steve Clarke - just three weeks after he turned down the chance to manage Fulham.

 

The Scot has left the Madejski Stadium following the Royals' 1-0 defeat at home to QPR last night.

Clarke held talks with Fulham last month about replacing Kit Symons as manager and while the Craven Cottage outfit are still looking for a new manager, it is unclear if Clarke would still be considered for the role.

Assistant manager Kevin Keen also leaves Reading, with under-21s boss Martin Kuhl taking charge on an interim basis.

 

Nedum Onuoha scored as QPR beat Reading 1-0 on Thursday night

Former West Brom head coach Clarke was appointed Reading manager in December 2014 and led the club to an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal in April.

He leaves the Royals ninth in the Championship following a run of just one win in eight games.

In an official statement Reading said: "The board of Reading Football Club have this morning relieved Manager Steve Clarke of his duties.

 

"The club met with Steve in person earlier today and we would like to place on permanent record our thanks to him for his hard work and diligence since his appointment in December 2014.

"Following Thursday night’s defeat at home to QPR, added to a recent run of poor form which has seen the team pick up just one win in the last eight Sky Bet Championship fixtures, the board feel that a change in manager is now necessary.

"The club will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course."