Noel Hunt appointed manager of League Two Reading

Former Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt has been appointed manager of English League One side Reading.

The Royals promoted the Waterford man from Under-21 boss after manager Ruben Selles left to take over Sky Bet Championship outfit Hull.

Hunt (41) has been given a contract until 2027 and will take charge of Saturday's trip to league leaders Wycombe.

Reading are currently sixth in the table, nine points behind this weekend's opponents.

Ex-forward Hunt played for five seasons with Reading, one alongside his brother and fellow Ireland international Stephen, and won the Championship in 2011/12.

Reading's U-21s reached the semi-final of the Premier League 2 play-offs last season with Hunt as manager, qualifying them for the Premier League International Cup this term.

He was interim first-time manager for the final five games of the 2022/23 season after the club sacked Paul Ince, and has previously served as assistant boss at Swindon and Doncaster Rovers.

We are delighted to announce that Noel Hunt has agreed terms to become the club's new Men's First Team Manager.

Noel's tenure will begin this Saturday in our Sky Bet League One fixture at Wycombe Wanderers.https://t.co/76TTRoo69J#ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/aeRm1Xy20e

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) December 6, 2024

Hull dismissed Tim Walter on 27 November and quickly set their sights on ex-Southampton boss Selles, who has been given a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 41-year-old Spaniard had caught the eye with his work at financially-stricken Reading over the past 18 months, with a successful survival bid in League One last season followed by an impressive push up the table this term.

Hull chairman [and former Shelbourne FC owner] Acun Ilicali said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of our number one target. Ruben's ambition aligns with ours. His passion and enthusiasm shone through in our meetings and we share similar ideas of how we want football to be played.

"I would like to thank Reading for their cooperation and professionalism throughout the process. I believe we have the right man to lead our talented squad forward and give our passionate supporters a team they will enjoy watching.

Valencia-born Selles said: "I know the team, the club, the history and I’m looking forward to starting my journey with the team. I saw a lot of similarities with where we are as technical staff and what we want to do for the present and the future, and that’s why I decided to come.

"From now, we go all in, all together, every single time, 100 per cent. There is no tomorrow; every day is important, every action is important. We’re going to fight for every inch together."

Selles will sit in the stands for Hull’s home fixture with Blackburn on Saturday with caretaker Andy Dawson to take charge of one final match.

Additional reporting: PA