‘Delighted’ Clarke new Reading boss

Steve Clarke has been named the new Reading manager after the Championship club moved swiftly following the sacking of Nigel Adkins.

Twelve months ago Clarke was axed by West Brom, who remain the only Premier League club the 51-year-old Scot has taken charge of on a full-time basis, but he has now returned to management in the second tier after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Royals.

He takes over a side who are 16th in the Championship table following Saturday’s 6-1 thrashing at Birmingham, a result which spelled the end of Adkins’ tenure at the Madejski Stadium.

Clarke said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Reading and I look forward to helping the club move in the right direction.

“A big part of the work ahead is on the training ground and I look forward to meeting the players and getting onto the grass with them. There is real potential here and hopefully exciting times ahead for the supporters.”

Meanwhile, Ronnie Moore has been appointed manager of League Two’s basement club Hartlepool.