The bookies are no longer accepting bets as to who will be named the next manager of Reading Football Club. Within the next 24 hours, that honor is set to be Nigel Adkins’.
The former Southampton boss met with representatives from Reading two weeks ago but was reportedly not interested in taking over Brian McDermott’s former role at Madejski Stadium. But after an additional week of discussions - and Brighton manager Gus Poyet’s decision to turn to Royals job to focus on The Albion - The Reading Chronicle is reporting that Adkins has done a 180 and is on the verge of being formally unveiled.
If the appointment is made, Adkins will be available to take charge ahead of the club’s trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to take on Arsenal. If for some reason the deal with Adkins falls through, Reading will return to a pool of candidates that is believed to include former Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio, Bradford City coach (and ex-Reading captain) Phil Parkinson and former Roma manager Luis Enrique.
His hiring will see Adkins inherit a Royals squad in need of a miracle finish to remain in the Premier League. They currently sit second from bottom on 23 points and 19th in the table. They are four points off 18th placed Wigan, seven points off 17th placed Aston Villa and eight points off Southampton and Sunderland. Bookmakers have Reading as the most likely to be relegated at 1/16, followed by QPR at 1/6, Wigan 10/11, Villa 7/4, Sunderland 4/1 and Southampton 6/1.
Yet despite the bleak odds, the Royals’ remaining schedule is quite favorable. After the Arsenal match Reading faces Southampton and Liverpool at home, Norwich at Carrow Road, QPR at home, Fulham at Craven Cottage, City at home and West Ham at Upton Park. Southampton, Norwich, QPR, Fulham and West Ham are all winnable contests for the Royals. If Nigel Adkins can motivate his side to win at least four of those matches, Reading may have a shot at pulling off the incredible.
Who do you think will be relegated this season? Does Reading have a prayer of staying up?