Neil Warnock says Reading FC a "good club" when questioned about vacant manager role

Neil Warnock has hinted that he would have taken up the Reading FC manager job if offered.

The veteran manager, who has over 45 years experience, has been singled out on social media by supporters as someone who could lead The Royals to Championship survival.

The former Middlesbrough manager implied that he would have considered the role following the departure of Veljko Paunovic last month.

READ MORE: Reading FC manager hints at duration of his stay at Championship club

Speaking on Talksport on Monday, he said: "No, Paul [Ince] is doing it now. But at the time, when I saw the manager (Paunovic) had gone, I just thought, what a good club.

"I've always had a right banter with them and their fans. They have always given me stick but I've always enjoyed going there.

"I've been sent off a few times there and had a few fines too!"

The veteran manager is currently out of work having left Middlesbrough earlier this season and has helped teams to eight promotions during his career while ensuring many of the teams he has managed have avoided relegation.

Reading FC appointed Paul Ince as interim manager in February however the former England captain has won only one out of four games and his side now sit only four points above the relegation zone.

Ince said in a recent interview that the owners of the club were happy with his progress so far.

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He said: “I was with Dayong ( Reading FC chief executive) talking about a few things.

“The owner was at the game on Saturday and seemed quite pleased, obviously not with the result, but with how things are changing with the togetherness and spirit.

“It’s important to get on well with everyone.

“We’re in the situation we are in because of the 30 games in the past.

“This is a team that finished seventh in the league last year so something since then has gone drastically wrong, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you guys I’d still be out playing golf.

“But something’s gone wrong and that’s why the team is where they are.

“We’ve got to get the belief in them that we can stay in this league because we have got good players.

“It’s about being structured and organised and not just playing expansive football where we get counter attacked all the time.”

The former England captain has brought in his own backroom staff since taking up the rolealongside academy manager Michael Gilkes.

Alex Rae has since joined the club as assistant manager while Mikele Leigertwood has joined the first team coaching staff after stepping up from his role as Under-18’s manager.