Man Utd legend John O’Shea ‘in running for first managerial job with EFL club’
MANCHESTER UNITED legend John O’Shea is allegedly in the running to take over at relegated Reading.
The Royals, who suffered a six-point deduction, axed Paul Ince last month and named Noel Hunt as interim boss until the end of the campaign.
However, the former Reading striker was unable to stop them from slipping into League One and they are now searching for a new man to try and lead an instant return.
Meanwhile, the 42-year-old O’Shea this week left his role as coach at Stoke City after just one year.
He said that was in order to focus on his job as assistant manager to Stephen Kenny with the Republic of Ireland national team.
But now journalist Darren Witcoop claims that the former defender, who finished his career after a one-season stint at Reading in 2019, could make a surprise return to his old club.
He tweeted: “John O’Shea, believed to be among the contenders for the managerial vacancy at Reading, has left his coaching role at Stoke.
“O’Shea plans to focus on his Republic of Ireland coaching commitments.”
Although he did also state that another man is ahead of him in the race for the job.
He added: “Chris Wilder remains favourite to land the Royals job.”
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Wilder has just left Watford after a short stint ended in him failing to secure a play-off spot in the Championship.
O’Shea was promoted to the Ireland senior set-up by Kenny in February 2022.
That was after previously serving as assistant to Jim Crawford with the Ireland U21 squad.
He told Stoke’s official website this week: “I would like to thank everyone at Stoke City for their help and guidance last season and wish the club good luck for the future.”