Paul Ince named Reading manager after ex-Man Utd midfielder impressed during spell as interim boss

PAUL INCE has been named as Reading manager after an impressive spell as interim boss of the Championship side.

Ince, 54, was handed the reins temporarily in February when Veljko Paunovic was given the boot.

Paunovic was sacked after a 12-game streak without victory that saw Reading sucked into a relegation battle.

Ince won four, lost seven, and drew three of the fourteen matches in charge of the Royals as he saw them to safety with two games to spare.

And Ince has now been given control on a permanent basis ahead of the new campaign.

The ex-Manchester United star will have Alex Rae beside him as assistant manager next season.

Speaking on the pair’s appointment, Reading’s Chief Executive Dayong Pang said, via the club’s : “Paul and Alex were brought into Bearwood to instil confidence, structure, spirit and determination into a first team squad which in difficult circumstances had lost its way early in the year.

“And ultimately, he had to produce almost immediate results.

“Fourteen points from their first ten games proved enough to keep the club in the Championship and I am delighted that Paul and Alex have accepted the challenge to take this club forward.”

Ince has had a glittering managerial career thus far.

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He helped Macclesfield avoid relegation from League Two in 2007.

Then the England legend won the Football League Trophy, and a League Two Championship with MK Dons during the 2007-08 campaign.

Ince then went on to coach Blackburn in the Premier League, before returning to MK Dons, and subsequently taking charge of Notts County and Blackpool.

Ince took an eight-year hiatus from managing until Reading came knocking earlier this year.

A chunk of his time away from the dugout was spent as a pundit critiquing former club Manchester United and their cascade of troubles.