Former Manchester United player sacked from Championship club

Championship club Reading have sacked Paul Ince on the back of a terrible run of form.

Ince, who thrived in the middle of the park for Manchester United and Liverpool in his playing days, failed to impress from the touchline despite early promise.

The 55-year-old joined Reading on an interim basis last season and helped them survive the relegation battle against Peterborough and Wayne Rooney led Derby County. In May he was handed the responsibility on a permanent basis.

However, this season Reading haven’t moved in the right direction both on and off the pitch. With no wins in their last eight games, they sit 22nd in the Championship table. The Royals were handed a six-point deduction for violating agreed budget restrictions.

Former Manchester United player sacked from Championship club

One of Reading’s biggest defeats under Ince came against Middlesbrough, who are managed by another ex-Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick. His side scored five unanswered goals against Ince’s men in the league in March.

Carrick has been garnering praise for transforming Middlesbrough’s form.

He was appointed their manager with the club 22nd in the Championship early in the season. Now, with five games left, Middlesbrough are fourth on the table and are more or less guaranteed to finish in the play-off places.

Reading, meanwhile, have handed the reins to U21 manager Noel Hunt until the end of the season.