Reading takeover chief Nigel Howe has ruled out a future return to his previous role of Chief Executive- should the club be sold.

Howe was brought to the club in 1990s as CEO and was at the helm, under Sir John Madejski, for the golden era of Premier League football.

A former EFL board member and an individual who has overseen three ownership changes at the club, he stepped down as CEO most recently in 2020.

The 66-year-old has been put in charge of finding a buyer for the club, a process which has taken 12 months and is back to 'square one' following a collapsed deal with American Rob Couhig.

This would not be so bad were it not for an FA-imposed ban for dealings with an agent, which will see him banned from all football activity from October until late January.

Many had thought Howe may look to return to the position at the wheel of the club under a new owner, however he has ruled himself out in a sit-down with the media.

"I certainly wouldn't want to go back to be CEO of the club," he explained. "It's a tough task and I think it's ready for somebody who can commit and really put their back into it. As I said earlier, I think the clubs got massive potential and it needs the energy to do that.

"I would like to think at some stage that anybody would like to take advantage of the knowledge I've got over the years I've done and the structure that's been put in place at Reading. Who knows?"

Throughout the process, Howe's stock has fallen to its lowest ebb with supporters, many pointing their fingers at the property expert for the lack of progress.

Reflecting upon his long relationship with the club, Howe stated: "I don't look at social media myself, but I get told it by friends. I'm disappointed that I seem to be taking on the villain role rather than the saviour role.

"Hopefully what I've said today is some explanation of how the process works and how it's not in my control or to deliver it. It's two parties trying to agree- there's not a lot more I can do. I'm not out here to try and say things that will make the fans love me or whatever. It's about getting the job done."