Fans react as Reading confirm the appointment of Leam Richardson as their new manager, following the departure of Noel Hunt.
On a contract until summer 2027, Leam comes in bringing proven League One success including promotion as champions with Wigan Athletic in 2021–22.
Chairman Rob Couhig praised Richardson’s hard work, player development skills, and ability to build winning cultures amid challenges, while the new manager has immediately started work with assistants Danny Schofield and James Beattie.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Leam Richardson as the club’s new First Team Manager.
Welcome to Reading, Leam! 💙#ReadingFC
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) October 28, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Reading Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Leam Richardson as the club’s new First Team Manager on a contract until the summer of 2027.
The 44-year-old brings extensive coaching and managerial experience and arrives at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with a proven record of success in League One, including winning promotion as champions with Wigan Athletic in 2021–22, an achievement which saw him named EFL League One Manager of the Season.
Richardson began his coaching journey at Accrington Stanley, where he twice stepped up as caretaker manager before being appointed permanently in 2012. He later formed a strong coaching partnership with Paul Cook, serving as assistant manager at Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic, achieving promotion with both Portsmouth and Wigan in that period.
He was appointed Wigan Athletic manager in April 2021 during a period of financial crisis and administration at the club. Richardson stabilised the squad, prevented relegation, and went on to lead the Latics to the League One title the following season.
Richardson most recently managed Rotherham United in the Championship and now begins a new chapter with the Royals as the club continues its long-term rebuild.
Chairman Rob Couhig said:
“I have admired Leam for some time. He is a coach and leader who embodies exactly the qualities we want at Reading Football Club – hard work, diligence, organisation and an absolute commitment to improving players.
He achieved promotion from League One in extremely difficult circumstances and proved he can build success. He is humble, he is driven, and he builds strong, honest cultures – something I know Royals fans value and respect.
Leam knows this division, he knows what a winning dressing room looks like and he understands the standards required to get there. He is hungry, ambitious and determined to move this football club forward. We are delighted to welcome him to Reading.”
Richardson will officially begin work immediately and has appointed Danny Schofield and James Beattie to his backroom team at Bearwood Park.
Fans react as Reading confirm the appointment of Leam Richardson as their new manager…
@fenners100: A guy who knows the division, and knows a club with limited finances. What were we expecting, Carlo Ancelloti? Give the guy a chance and lets see what he can bring to the job. After all, were we particularly enthused at the start by Coppell, McDermott, Pardew…..?
@CazParker1871: Welcome to the club! Some basic training on throw ins that aren’t fouls, corners & pressing together would be welcomed with open arms.
@ChrisCooper_22: Reading fans don’t deserve Richardson. Good coach, proven at this level yet Reading fans think they can attract better. What is attractive?
@PictonPedro: Welcome Leam. The fact is you helped Pompey to a promotion and Wigan climb out of this division – you’re not another Gomes / Selles / Pauno / Ince / Hunt type of punt. You bring a level of success and expectation from our fans. Let’s get back to where we belong!!! Up the ding.
@lambeyyy1871: Welcome, Leam! Delighted to see the owners’ first-choice appointment confirmed. Hopefully, it proves to be the right one and marks the start of a positive new chapter. Wishing you every success — I’ll be backing you all the way. URZZ! 🔵⚪️ #readingfc
@_Luke1871: Welcome to Reading, Leam Richardson🔵⚪️ Someone who knows how to escape League 1 and that’s what we need right now. Obviously, there are concerns but there’s no point worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet. This appointment will define Rob Couhig #readingfc
@benjxyy: He’s won the league before, clearly knows how to do it at this level so I’ll back him all the way
@m1871e: Welcome Leam, keep us afloat this year, and promote us next year, and we’ll get along just fine 😌
@Nozzzaaaa: Welcome Leam – we will all be behind you (even more so if you stop the long ball boring hoofing football, attack attack attack and manage to get us promoted – not too much to ask) 😉😂
@harry_chafer: I probably ignorantly dismissed this too quickly. Definitely still some valid reservations – due to personal preferences on playing style etc – but he has recent success in this league. Just need to rally behind him now. Start of a brand new chapter @TheTilehurstEnd #readingfc
@Pickettlickett: Right, new manager, regardless of who it is, just back him. Enough of this negative shite. we’re not top flight but if he gets us promotion in the next 2 seasons, that’ll do. #readingfc
@mitchrfc1: All we can do is back him, and hopefully he proves everybody including myself wrong. #readingfc
@MarkTalksSport: Quick question for anyone: 1st, I am very happy. 2nd, is Danny Schofield the former Huddersfield Manager, and is that James Beattie the former Southampton Player? If it is, so much the better. #readingfc
@JackOliverG: Well there it is, importantly, we must all get behind him. There are positives and negatives, but you could find flaws in any appointment. Rob and Joe have done their due diligence, and Leam is the top choice. We have to trust their judgement #ReadingFC
@Oi_Ffreshrfc: Not anyone’s first choice but he’s won the league at least. Time to back him.
@_Luke1871: Welcome to the club, Leam. We don’t ask for much, except promotion. Hope it all goes well
@thejamieseymour: Welcome Leam. Please play Lewis Wing in front of the defence instead of behind it. Thanks
@Tatum1871: Summer of 2027. They must believe in him long-term. Time to back him and the squad #ReadingFC
@Jwills40: Just a bit of stability please
@MikeyM1871: Welcome Leam, Just got to get behind him that’s all we can do! If it don’t work out its on the ownership #readingfc
@charliekeegan: Best of luck to Leam Richardson at #ReadingFC! 👏 League One title winner with Wigan Athletic. Stuck with us through Administration and helped to build up a squad that competed well. Had a difficult time towards the end of his spell at #wafc, but so many factors impacted that.
@webber1871: Love the Schofield and Beattie hires! Gonna be a lot of touchline drama 🤣 #readingfc
