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match at Arsenal.
Adkins will be assisted at the Madejski Stadium by Andy Crosby, his No. 2 at Saints, and Reading owner Anton Zingarevich said: “I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us.
“He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels.
“This is an appointment we have made both with the short and long term in mind and Nigel can take our club forward.
“I know our supporters have been keen to hear news over the past two weeks and I am certain they will join me in saying it was worth the wait. I wish Nigel and Andy nothing but good luck and now we focus on eight hugely important games in the Premier League.
“Our supporters will also play a vital part in the finale to the season and I am certain Nigel will get an excellent reception from our fans at the Emirates on Saturday.”
The Royals sacked Brian McDermott two weeks ago — just 33 days after he was named manager of the month — with Academy director Eamonn Dolan taking charge.
With just eight league games remaining Reading face a desperate fight against relegation — in 19th place and seven points adrift of safety. Adkins will take the club to the Emirates ahead of a crucial relegation fixture against his former club Southampton on April 6.
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio had been linked to the post, as well as Roberto Di Matteo, while Brighton’s Gus Poyet turned down the job last week.
Reading is Adkins’s third professional club, having started out as a physiotherapist with Scunthorpe.
He became manager in 2006 after serving the Iron as their physio for 10 years and twice got them promoted from League One to the Championship. Adkins says it is time to
“move on” from his sacking at Southampton and wants to focus on keeping his new club Reading in the Premier League.
“I’ve not made any comments since I left Southampton and I want to take the opportunity to thank all the people there,” Adkins told a press conference on Sky Sports News.
“I thank the fans, the players and supporters. We were on a fantastic journey but we have to move on now.
“I am pleased to be the Reading manager. We will take it one game at a time and try and keep this club in the Premier League. It’s a good club, I’ve been impressed with them and I’ve always known what sort of club it is. We’re in the Premier League and we want to stay there. I am excited.”
Southampton will be Adkins’ second opponents as Reading manager, but he would prefer to focus on his first game in charge away to Arsenal on Saturday.
“I can’t talk about Southampton as it’s in the hands of the League Managers’ Association,” he added.
“It’s one game at a time and the next one is Arsenal. I am looking to the future, I’ve had two months out and gone around Europe, I’m excited about the future and passionate about playing football.
“We all have to pull in the same direction and it is a great challenge.”
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet turned down the chance to take charge at Reading amid reports that Adkins was not thought to be interested. — Sky Sports.
Online Reporter