After it was announced that Reading have parted company with Paul Clement, many Royals fans discussed the possibility of appointing Bolton boss Phil Parkinson.
Other names being touted by fans at this early stage include the recently unemployed Steve Bruce and Slavisa Jokanovic, as well as former Reading player Graeme Murty.
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What do the fans think?
Some Reading fans believe Parkinson, who played over 300 times for the Royals between 1992 and 2003, is the ideal candidate for the role.
Think Bruce would be a good choice but can’t see him taking it. Phil Parkinson fits the profile for me on a few counts. Think his appointment would galvanise the fanbase too
— Andrew Belt (@andrey_belt) 7 December 2018
Think what this club needs now is a Phil Parkinson or Graeme Murty like figure that can restore some pride and identity to this club. Someone that will hurt if we lose and give back what’s needed positive or negative. Working for other clubs having one of their own #readingfc
— Tom (@BlueRoyalWhite) 6 December 2018
Tony O”Brien /Allsport
Parkinson took a near bankrupt Bolton to promotion and against the odds kept them in the Championship last season; and this season his bargain basement team outplayed and beat an expensively assembled Reading team at the Mad Stad.
— Jonathan (@Jonatha08824616) 6 December 2018
In the last 5 years we’ve gone through 5 managers. There’s probably a bigger argument to say that those that don’t have any affiliation to the club keep continuing to fail the club. Would either have more of a vested interest to do a better job to keep their reputation?
— Robert Bunting (@Bunting1871) 6 December 2018
(Photo by Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images)
Not everyone at Reading wants Parkinson
However, other fans believe Parkinson is only being touted as a replacement for Clement because of his playing time at the club.
If Parkinson had not been a Reading player in the past, I would confidently wager a million pounds that NOT one single Reading fan would want him as manager, now based on the job he’s doing at Bolton. #readingfc
— Paul Towner (@PaulTowner) 6 December 2018
Just do not see the logic of fans wanting Phil Parkinson, Graeme Murty of somebody of that ilk. Yes, they are legends at Reading, but nothing says they will do a good job managing the club.
Why risk ruining the legacy when there are better managers out there? #readingfc
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) 6 December 2018
(Photo by Rachel Holborn – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Would Parkinson really leave Bolton?
Speaking to the Bolton News’ Marc Iles in a press conference, Parkinson reportedly played down any talk of the vacant position.
Phil Parkinson says he only heard about Reading managerial vacancy walking into the press conference. Adds: “It is a real shame for Paul to lose his job but I have got a task on my hands here.” #bwfc #ReadingFC
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) 6 December 2018
Whether or not Parkinson is tempted by a return to Reading, you can hardly blame him if he were to leave Bolton after reports of further financial troubles emerged in the Bolton News in the last week.
In the meantime however, the Bolton boss and his players are currently gearing up for a tough trip to Norwich at the weekend to face the league leaders.
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