Leam Richardson appointed Reading FC manager
He's been appointed on a contract until the summer of 2027.
Reading Football Club have announced the appointment of Leam Richardson as the club’s new First Team Manager on a contract until the summer of 2027.
The 44-year-old brings extensive coaching and managerial experience and arrives at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with a proven record of success in League One, including winning promotion as champions with Wigan Athletic in 2021–22, an achievement which saw him named EFL League One Manager of the Season.
Richardson began his coaching journey at Accrington Stanley, where he twice stepped up as caretaker manager before being appointed permanently in 2012. He later formed a strong coaching partnership with Paul Cook, serving as assistant manager at Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic, achieving promotion with both Portsmouth and Wigan in that period.
He was appointed Wigan Athletic manager in April 2021 during a period of financial crisis and administration at the club. Richardson stabilised the squad, prevented relegation, and went on to lead the Latics to the League One title the following season.
Richardson most recently managed Rotherham United in the Championship and now begins a new chapter with the Royals as the club continues its long-term rebuild.
Chairman Rob Couhig said: “I have admired Leam for some time. He is a coach and leader who embodies exactly the qualities we want at Reading Football Club – hard work, diligence, organisation and an absolute commitment to improving players.
"He achieved promotion from League One in extremely difficult circumstances and proved he can build success. He is humble, he is driven, and he builds strong, honest cultures – something I know Royals fans value and respect.
"Leam knows this division, he knows what a winning dressing room looks like and he understands the standards required to get there. He is hungry, ambitious and determined to move this football club forward. We are delighted to welcome him to Reading.”
Richardson will officially begin work immediately and has appointed Danny Schofield and James Beattie to his backroom team at Bearwood Park.