READING have announced that Steve Clarke is the man they have chosen to replace Nigel Adkins as manager of the club.

Adkins was sacked yesterday, two days after the Royals were thumped 6-1 by Birmingham City, a result that left them 16th in the Championship table.

The Reading board have acted swiftly to replace him with former West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Madejski Stadium.

Clarke said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Reading Football Club and I look forward to helping the club move in the right direction.

“A big part of the work ahead is on the training ground and I look forward to meeting the players and getting onto the grass with them. There is real potential here and hopefully exciting times ahead for the supporters.”

Co-chairman Sir John Madejski added: “I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Steve to Reading Football Club and wish him every success here.

“He comes with a CV of the very highest order and I look forward to moving back up the table with him in charge.

“It has been a difficult period for all concerned, but now we can look forwards. Nigel Adkins worked tirelessly to achieve success. Sadly, it did not work out for him but we wish him, his family and staff well for the future.

“Now we look forward to a new era under Steve’s stewardship and I for one am excited about this new beginning.”

In addition to guiding West Brom to eighth place in the Premier League in 2012-13, Clarke acted as assistant manager to Jose Mourinho during his first spell at Chelsea before carrying out similar roles at West Ham United and Liverpool, where he worked with Kenny Dalglish.