Reading clinched a deserved return to the Premier League last night, and one man in particular will be feeling happy about it.
When a manager of a football league club is offered the chance to manage in the Premier League it is easier to say yes than say no.
After all such chances do not come along too often, and in some cases can be once in a lifetime offers.
The chance to manage Wolves – is not one that can be described as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ as caretaker boss Terry Connor is regretfully discovering.
It was a truly poisoned chalice, with Mick McCarthy’s poor squad bereft of form and confidence even in February, ahead of their crunch relegation battle.
Brian McDermott is one of six or seven managers believed to have been approached about taking up the position, and his fortunes have altered quite dramatically since.
He spurned their advances to sign a new contract with Reading, and his rewards have come far sooner than he could have imagined.
Reading clinched promotion back to the Premier League last night, after a three year absence, and have every chance of going up as champions.
Even if he had joined Wolves, the job at Molineux was so challenging in such a short space of time that it is highly likely he would have suffered relegation and been managing in the Championship next season.
Last night’s win at Nottingham Forest showed that good things come to those who wait, as McDermott will indeed be experiencing the Premier League next season instead, also illustrating that a bit of loyalty occasionally goes a long way in football.
If he needs a new assistant, Terry Connor may soon be looking for new employment.
How will Reading cope in the Premier League next year?
image: © brokenkey
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