John O’Shea emerges as favorite for first management job at relegation-threatened Reading, with former Man United defender leading the way to replace sacked Paul Ince
By Ryan Walker for Mailonline
16:23 18 Apr 2023, updated 16:23 18 Apr 2023
John O’Shea has emerged as favorite to take over Reading’s next managerThe former Man United defender has never held a senior managerial positionHe would replace Paul Ince who was fired by the championship fighters
John O’Shea has taken a favored position to take over as Reading’s next manager following the sacking of Paul Ince.
The former Manchester United defender has previously expressed interest in a move into management after retiring in 2019 at the age of 38.
The Irishman finished his season at Reading and now looks in a position to take over as the club’s next permanent manager, being placed as favorite by bookies.
He is closely followed by former Oxford boss Karl Robinson and Nathan Jones, who was sacked by Southampton earlier this season.
O’Shea got his first coaching role with Reading after his retirement, where he became one of the first-team coaches, but left his position a year later to complete his UEFA professional license.
John O’Shea is favorite to be appointed as new first-team manager at Reading Former Man United defender O’Shea never held a head coach role Paul Ince was recently sacked as Reading manager
His next backroom opportunity came back in his home country of Ireland, where he became the under-21 team manager, partnering Jim Crawford.
O’Shea then returned to club football as former Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill sought to add the veteran professional to his backroom squad.
During his time at Man United, O’Shea worked under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and made 394 appearances for the Red Devils en route to winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and a single Champions League title. title.
Former Oxford boss Karl Robinson is one of the other favorites to fill the vacancy
The 40-year-old previously expressed his desire to move up to a first-team coaching position, telling the UTD Podcast in 2021: “That’s the ultimate goal. Get on board.
I know it’s a tricky business at the best of times, but I hope I’ve had a good education along the way with some of the people I’ve worked with.
‘I’m doing a professional license with the FAI and I’m taking a UEFA course, a master for international players.
“It’s a bit of a fancy title, but you get a guide to sports directors, technical directors and how the business side of football works,” he said.
