Adkins tasked with reviving Reading

Nigel Adkins has been named the new Reading FC manager following the dismissal of Brian McDermott earlier this month, putting pen to paper on a contract that runs until summer 2016. 

McDermott departed after overseeing a run of five straight defeats which have left the Royals second from bottom in the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety. Adkins, 48, left Southampton FC in January despite steering the club to back-to-back promotions.

Owner Anton Zingarevich said: "I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us. He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager: he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football. Most of all, he knows how to win games at all levels."

After a trip to Arsenal FC on Saturday, Adkins' first home game in charge will be against former employers Southampton a week later.