Reading have appointed Paul Clement as manager on a three-year contract, confirmed by BBC Sport.
The Wandsworth-born boss arrives in Reading with a sparkling CV, telling the impressive story of a career which has seen him lift the Premier League, the FA Cup (twice) and the Community Shield during an assistant managerial spell at Stamford Bridge, win Ligue 1 in France with Paris Saint Germain, claim Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA World Club Championship and Copa del Rey honours at Real Madrid and add a German Super Cup title as assistant coach with Bayern Munich.
Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said “I am delighted to have secured the services of a hugely experienced forward-thinking manager like Paul, who I have personally worked alongside during our time spent at Chelsea.”
“Not only has he coached at some of the greatest clubs in Europe, winning trophies, league titles and European honours and working with some of the greatest players in the world, fundamentally he also has a rich understanding of English football having managed in both the Championship and the Premier League in recent years.”
“Now, everyone at Reading Football Club is fully behind Paul and his squad of players as, together, we initially set our sights on an eight-game battle and continue to strive to the take this club forward.”
Clement said he is looking to bring in two coaches he has previously worked with before the QPR game.
“This is a club that’s always been competitive at this level,” he said. “The ambition in the immediate term is to secure the club in the Championship.
“Beyond that, there’s a lot of ambition to take this club back into the Premier League after it came so close last season. My ambition is to coach at that level again.
“But, the focus has to be on the next eight games.”
Reading fans seem optimistic about the appointment of Paul Clement as manager, replacing Jaap Stam.
Happy with Clement coming in, an experienced manager. Think he could do well for us, he can't be any worse than Stam! Really hope fans will give him a chance before they slag him off. #readingfc
— Harrison Mitchell (@harrison1871rfc) March 23, 2018
Very good appointment in @PaulClement1972 ! Definitely feel he’s the right man to take us forward! Now let’s get behind him and the lads! 🔵 #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) March 23, 2018
Overall. Proper pleased with Paul Clement. Had experience at numerous European clubs. Good with the youth programme & developing young players. Let’s hope he can get us out of trouble ⚽️🔵⚪️. #readingfc
— Ben Thornton (@BenThorntonn) March 23, 2018
Not thrilled by this to be honest but I’ll give the guy a chance. Can’t be worse than it has been lately #readingfc
— Dom (@domwindle) March 23, 2018
New era under Paul Clement. Excited to see what happens. First task is to keep us up ⚽️ #readingfc
— BishBashBobs (@Bishbashbobs) March 23, 2018
