John O’Shea emerges as favourite to land first job in management at relegation-threatened Reading, with former Man United defender the frontrunner to replace sacked Paul Ince
- John O’Shea has emerged as favourite to take over as the next Reading manager
- The former Man United defender has never held a senior manager position
- He would replace Paul Ince who was sacked by the Championship strugglers
John O’Shea has moved into favourite position to take over as the next Reading manager following the sacking of Paul Ince.
The former Manchester United defender has previously declared his interest in moving into management after retiring in 2019 at the age of 38.
The Irishman finished his season at Reading and now looks in a position to take over as the club’s next permanent manager with bookies placing him as favourite.
He is closely followed by previous Oxford boss Karl Robinson and Nathan Jones who was sacked by Southampton earlier in the season.
O’Shea landed his first coaching role at Reading post-retirement where he became one of the first-team coaches but then left his position a year later to complete his UEFA pro licence.
John O’Shea is favourite to be appointed as the next first-team manager at Reading
Former Man United defender O’Shea (left) could replace the recently sacked Paul Ince (right) at Reading
His next backroom opportunity came back in his home nation of Ireland where he became the under-21 team manager working alongside Jim Crawford.
O’Shea then moved back into club football as former Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill sought to add the experienced professional to his backroom team.
During his time at Man United O’Shea worked under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and made 394 appearances for the Red Devils on his way to winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League cups and a solitary Champions League title.
Former Oxford boss Karl Robinson is one of the other favourites to fill the vacancy
The 40-year-old previously expressed his desire to move into a first-team coaching position, telling the UTD Podcast in 2021: ‘That’s the ultimate aim. Get into management.
I know it’s a tricky business at the best of times but I’m hoping I’ve had a good education along the way with some of the people I’ve worked with.
‘I’m doing a pro licence with the FAI and I’m doing a UEFA course – it’s called a Master’s for International Players.
‘It’s a bit of a fancy title but you’re getting a guide on sporting directors, technical directors and how the business side of football works,’ he said.
