Former Reading defender John O'Shea admitted that 'it is terrible to see' what has happened to the club since his exit.

42-year-old O'Shea is best known for his 12-year association with Manchester United and seven-year spell at Sunderland but ended his prestigious playing career with an 11-game spell in Berkshire.

Ending his playing career as a Royal, he kickstarted his coaching career at the SCL Stadium, spending two years working alongside Jose Gomes, Mark Bowen and Veljko Paunovic.

Departing in 2021, the former centre-back has been with Stoke City and Birmingham City but is currently the interim manager of his nation, Republic of Ireland.

Speaking to former England boss Sam Allardyce on his No Tippy Tappy podcast, O'Shea commented: "I know Mark Bowen down there and what they’re having to do and what’s gone on. It’s been terrible to see when you look at the stadium down there and the training ground that they moved to- a really good set-up. They always produce good kids from the Academy. Thankfully they’ve survived this season comfortably enough.

"When you think of the area where they are, it’s attractive to lots of players. When you meet fans outside the stadium they’re so passionate, and rightly so because it’s a big part of the community down there. Hopefully, they get the new owner across sooner rather than later.

"They have frustrations themselves in that they’re not happy because they thought they were going to get promoted to the Premier League no problem. They kept investing money until they went ‘No, we’re not going to do that anymore.’ It’s tough to see that happening. How can clubs overcome that? I don’t know how you combat that.

"Hopefully, they get the new owner sorted. They have a great Academy down there and producing good players."

Reading and Ruben Selles have confirmed their League One status with two matches to spare, losing 3-2 at Burton Albion on Saturday.