Former Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United manager Leam Richardson looks set to take the reins at out of form Reading, who have had an inconsistent start to the League One campaign.
The 45-year-old has been out of work since his dismissal from Rotherham United last April.
Proven Face
Leam Richardson has emerged as a prime contender for Reading’s League One vacancy after Noel Hunt’s sacking a mere few days ago. The 45-year-old has been jobless since Rotherham United dismissed him in April last year.
His breakthrough arrived at Wigan Athletic in 2020 amid the club’s turmoil through administration issues. Taking charge in League One, he transformed an expected relegation-threatened side into league champions in 2021-22, also securing the EFL Manager of the Season award. Earlier, he served as Accrington Stanley’s caretaker in 2012, later holding the permanent post until 2013.
A short second Wigan spell ended abruptly, further followed by time at Rotherham United in which he took on the club in a downwards tajectory follwing a poor spell under Steve Evans. Renowned for tactical discipline and unity in his teams, Richardson offers proven promotion pedigree to arrest Reading’s slide down the table.
A Club In Freefall
Reading’s League One season has been turbulent, with the Royals sitting 19th after 14 matches, on 15 points from three wins, six draws, and five losses. Scoring 14 goals but conceding 19, the team struggles with defensive frailties and a lacklustre attack, despite signings proven at this level, such as Paudie O’Connor and Jack Marriott. A 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers proved the final straw, leading to Noel Hunt’s sacking on Sunday.
The club’s recent ownership change saw Dai Yongge’s exit in May, which was forced by the EFL due to financial mismanagement, including point deductions and unpaid wages. Redwood Holdings’ takeover averted administration, but squad rebuilding falters with injuries to key players like Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.
With Leam Richardson is being favoured to replace Hunt; it is a necessity he aims to reverse Reading’s slide toward relegation
What Are The Bookies Saying?
Betting on Leam Richardson for Reading’s vacant job has been suspended across major bookies like bet365 and Sky Bet, a clear signal of his impending appointment, given his Wigan promotion credentials and availability post-Rotherham. With markets frozen at 1/50 pre-suspension, attention shifts to backups.
Michael Duff leads outsiders with his Swansea and Barnsley stints, offering Championship nous for a League One revival. Scott Parker follows at 7/1, fresh from Fulham and Bournemouth promotions, bringing Premier League polish. Ryan Lowe, Wigan’s steady hand, and Lee Johnson, EFL Trophy winner with Bristol City, round out the market’s credible threats amid Reading’s relegation scrap
Here’s the chart for the vacant reading job according to some of the UK’s leading bookmakers.
| Bookmaker | Leam Richardson | Michael Duff | Scott Parker | Ryan Lowe | Lee Johnson | Mark Robins | Steve Evans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | 1/50 (susp.) | 6/1 | 8/1 | 10/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 | 20/1 | |||
| William Hill | 1/50 (susp.) | 5/1 | 7/1 | 9/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 | 18/1 | |||
| Ladbrokes | 1/66 (susp.) | 11/2 | 15/2 | 12/1 | 10/1 | 12/1 | 22/1 | |||
| Paddy Power | 1/100 (susp.) | 13/2 | 9/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 | 20/1 | 25/1 | |||
| Sky Bet | 1/50 (susp.) | 6/1 | 8/1 | 10/1 | 12/1 | 18/1 | 20/1 |
Writers View
Leam Richardson’s move to Reading is now all but done, with betting markets suspended at 1/50 across major firms. The 45-year-old, out of work since Rotherham’s relegation last spring, brings proven League One nous, most notably the 2021-22 title with Wigan amid administration turmoil. That experience resonates at a club only five months removed from Dai Yongge’s forced exit and a near-miss with EFL expulsion.
Reading sit 19th on 15 points, six clear of the drop, but have conceded 19 in 14 games. Richardson’s strength is organisation and squad cohesion, not revolution. He doesn’t come as an overly glamorous name, but he will no doubt bring stability. For a board under new ownership and a fanbase craving competence over headlines, it’s a low-risk, high-upside fit.
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