Veljko Paunovic responds to Reading FC players reportedly wanting his dismissal

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic believes his senior players played well yesterday in response to a question regarding players reportedly wanting the 44-year-old to be sacked, as he spoke to Berkshire Live.

BBC Radio Berkshire reporter Tim Dellor (via The Tilehurst End) reported live on air yesterday afternoon that multiple players in the second-tier side’s squad want Paunovic to depart the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the Royals losing eight consecutive competitive matches and winning just one point from a possible 24 during this calendar year thus far.

Not only are the Berkshire outfit underperforming on the pitch – but this has been followed up with a pre-match protest that happened prior to their 3-2 defeat to Coventry City yesterday afternoon calling for a change in manager and a change in strategy from those in power at the club.

Going into their midweek crunch tie against Peterborough United, they currently sit just one point above the relegation zone as things stand with Darren Ferguson’s men having a game in hand over them.

Not only that, but Derby County are also just four points adrift of them at this stage despite having suffered a 21-point deduction earlier in the season and many Reading supporters on social media are calling for the Serbian’s sacking.

He was publicly backed by owner Dai Yongge last month – but more losses have piled further pressure on him. Regardless of this and this recent report regarding players’ feelings towards him, Paunovic is determined to plough on.

Responding to the latter issue on player unhappiness, he said: “I’m not commenting on rumours. I’m pretty clear, as long as I am here, I am here.

“I also saw how the team played today and I saw senior players playing well.”

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