Noel Hunt appointed manager of League Two Reading

Former Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt has been appointed manager of English League One side Reading.

The Royals promoted the Waterford man from Under-21 boss after manager Ruben Selles left to take over Sky Bet Championship outfit Hull.

Hunt (41) has been given a contract until 2027 and will take charge of Saturday's trip to league leaders Wycombe.

Reading are currently sixth in the table, nine points behind this weekend's opponents.

Ex-forward Hunt played for five seasons with Reading, one alongside his brother and fellow Ireland international Stephen, and won the Championship in 2011/12.

Reading's U-21s reached the semi-final of the Premier League 2 play-offs last season with Hunt as manager, qualifying them for the Premier League International Cup this term.

He was interim first-time manager for the final five games of the 2022/23 season after the club sacked Paul Ince, and has previously served as assistant boss at Swindon and Doncaster Rovers.

We are delighted to announce that Noel Hunt has agreed terms to become the club's new Men's First Team Manager.

Noel's tenure will begin this Saturday in our Sky Bet League One fixture at Wycombe Wanderers.https://t.co/76TTRoo69J#ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/aeRm1Xy20e

Hull dismissed Tim Walter on 27 November and quickly set their sights on ex-Southampton boss Selles, who has been given a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 41-year-old Spaniard had caught the eye with his work at financially-stricken Reading over the past 18 months, with a successful survival bid in League One last season followed by an impressive push up the table this term.

Hull chairman [and former Shelbourne FC owner] Acun Ilicali said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of our number one target.