Noel Hunt named as new Reading first-team manager
Noel Hunt as been named as the new Reading FC manager. Photo: Reading FC
Former Waterford FC striker and Republic of Ireland player Noel Hunt has become the new permanent manager of Reading after the departure of Ruben Selles, who has joined Championship side Hull City.
The Waterford native made the move back across the water after having a spell as a coach with Waterford FC where he worked with Alan Reynolds during the Lee Power era, but makes the step up from the Under 20 side to the first-team.
He signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Reading with the club saying that they were “delighted to announce that the Irishman agreed terms to become the club’s new Men’s First Team Manager.”
The statement continued: “The club has always believed that Noel has all of the credentials to succeed in management, and is widely regarded as one the most exciting young coaches in the country.
“He has built an unrivalled reputation for developing some of our most exciting young talent, and has the full backing of everybody at the club.
Noel’s association with Reading FC began in 2008 when he signed as a player to link up with Steve Coppell’s team. He would wear the hoops for a total of five seasons and play an integral part in his side’s Championship winning campaign of 2011/12.” His early years as a coach saw him become Assistant Manager at both Swindon Town and Doncaster Rovers, before returning to Reading in 2022 as Under 21 Manager.
Under his stewardship, the young Royals reached the semi-final of the Premier League 2 play-offs in 2023/24, an achievement that also saw them qualify for the Premier League International Cup this term.
Hunt took on the role of Interim First Team Manager in April 2023, taking charge of the Royals’ final five fixtures of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind," Hunt told BBC Sport after the draw with Wycombe. "I'm privileged and honoured to be in this position, and I know what I've got to do is give it everything that I've got.
"We have to take it game by game and try and get to those 50 points as fast as we can. That hasn't changed from when Ruben (Selles) was here and it won't change now."
"I got a phone call asking what was I thinking, I had a really good chat with Ruben and then went back and said 'yeah I'm all in'." We wish Noel the very best of luck in his role as new Reading boss.
