Former Reading FC manager, Brian McDermott, believes that the club “is in need of a reset” over the summer.

McDermott worked at the club in a variety of roles since his arrival in 2000, including Chief Scout and reserve team manager, but famously managed the club from 2009-2013 and again in 2015/16, winning the Championship title in 2011/12.

Still keeping a keen eye on the ongoings at the SCL Stadium, the former Arsenal midfielder believes that the structure at the club is the key to success.

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, McDermott said: “Reading are not building anything at the moment. They’re just picking teams. You have to be building toward something. There has to be a structure in place off of the pitch and that’s the key. There has to be a structure that the fans can recognise where they look at it and see what they’re doing. This isn’t the manager; these are people away from the pitch. Who’s picking the players? Who’s sorting contracts? Who’s liaising with the players and looking after them?

“Back in the day everyone knew who those people were. It’s in need of a reset. The only thing that matters at the moment is that Paul wins enough games to keep them up. Then, in the summertime do the reset, but that’s down to the owner.”

As well as the 2012 Championship title, McDermott lead the club to three FA Cup quarter-finals and won the 2013 Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award.

Still a legend to supporters, the 60- year-old’s second spell at the club was less successful and only lasted six months.

Quizzed on whether the Royals are an attractive proposition for a manager next season, when the squad is expected to see wholesale changes with 14 first-team players out of contract, the former Slough Town manager explained that it depended on the set-up within the club.

Reading Chronicle:

He added: “I’ve no idea if it’s an exciting prospect. It will depend how the club is structured and if the club is in position with a Director of Football, a Head of Recruitment. Even if it’s not the biggest in the world you need a budget. You need to bring in characters that can run, tackle and fight and do what needs to be done and start again, hopefully in the Championship.

“The structure has to be right. The supporters will know too, they go to the games. When I used to go to games all over the world I would speak to supporters because they’re not daft, they know what’s going on, they’re the best people to ask.”

Fans do not have to wait long to see McDermott in the Reading dug out again, with the legends anniversary game scheduled for May.

With plenty of supporter anticipation ahead of seeing their heroes grace the SCL turf again, the Berkshire- born manager cannot wait to return either.

He concluded: “It’ll be nice to go back and see everyone. It’ll be great to see faces from the past and go back.

“I absolutely loved working there. I had 13 incredible years there. I was fortunate to work with some amazing people with some great fans.

“What an amazing time we had.”