Hunt appointed Reading manager following Ince sacking

Former Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt has been appointed as the interim manager of Reading.

Paul Ince has been sacked this morning after a dismal run of form that leaves the club fighting for Sky Bet Championship survival.

The former England, Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder was appointed at Reading in February last year and led the Royals to safety last season with four wins in 14 fixtures.

He took permanent charge last summer but a 2-1 defeat at Preston on Easter Monday extended their winless sequence to eight matches and left them a point adrift of safety.

Hunt had been manager the Reading Under-21s.

Reading said in a statement: "Reading Football Club can confirm that the contract of first team manager Paul Ince has been terminated with immediate effect.

"Assistant manager Alex Rae has also departed the club.

"Our Under-21s manager and former Royals striker, Noel Hunt, has been installed as interim first-team manager until the end of the season."