Former Reading FC manager Brian McDermott insists the structure of the club needs to be sorted ahead of next season.

Paul Ince’s Reading confirmed Championship survival after their 3-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday, but off field issues have left the club with a suspended points deduction and in a trouble embargo to ensure the club will be fighting for their lives again next term.

The much-loved McDermott led the Royals to the Premier League in 2012 and re-joined the club for a short spell in 2015.

 

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Speaking on the 1871 Podcast, the Hall of Fame inductee has implored the club to give the next manager the support needed to succeed.

McDermott said: “I think the manager is the last piece of the jigsaw. The structure needs to be sorted and then get your manager in. Get good support around him, get recruitment right, get contracts sorted, get your director of football in place, get your admin people in place, get your chief executive in place, and then stick your manager in.

“Over the last seven or eight years they’ve just thrown managers at the problem and that’s not solving the problem. You have to try and get the structure and infrastructure correct.”

60-year-old McDermott, who also managed Leeds United, believes Ince has done a good job as interim manager, but believes next season will be just as tough as this campaign.

He continued: “He's done exactly what he’d had to do- he’s got the club safe, happy days. Good luck to him if he gets it next season but people need to get around him. If Paul’s going to be manager get around him, support him. The fans will get behind him because that’s what our fans do. They will support the manager, but the manager needs support too.

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“Next season is going to be difficult with a lot of players out of contract, the budget will be a lot smaller, so next season is about wheeling and dealing and doing the best you possibly can to get the players in. People have got to come to the club with contacts “

 

Click here to listen to the full episode.