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Reading fans finally get their wish after blocking team bus in manager protest
Reading fans have got their wish after blocking their own team bus in midweek as manager Veljko Paunovic has been sacked.The Championship club have been struggling near the bottom of the table this season and a run of 11 league games without a win prompted a protest on Wednesday (February 16).Supporters surrounded the coach carrying Paunovic and his squad as they attempted to leave after their 0-0 draw away at Peterborough.Despite making their feelings abundantly clear, the Royals' board stuck by the Serbian and he remained in charge for their trip to Preston on Saturday (February 19).However, despite winning that match 3-2, Reading have now cut ties with Paunovic. A club statement read: "Reading Football Club can confirm that the contract of first team manager Veljko Paunovic has been terminated by mutual consent."The Serbian was appointed as manager of the Royals in late August 2020 and without fans in the stands to support him or his side, we sustained a push for promotion for much of his maiden campaign in the Championship - only for our play-off hopes to fade in the final few weeks of 2020-21.Who should replace him? Let us know in the comments section."This season, somewhat understandably, has proven more difficult."Having to help lead the club through strict transfer embargo restrictions and contract limitations, an injury crisis like never before seen at our club, a global pandemic and the challenge of a six-point deduction imposed by the EFL."For these reasons, owner Mr Dai Yongge wanted to afford Veljko time to turn around a poor recent run of results that now sees us in a battle for second tier survival.
