Royals part company with Rodgers

Reading have parted company with manager Brendan Rodgers by mutual consent.

The Royals have endured a difficult season and currently lie 21st in the Coca-Cola Championship, having won only one of 11 home league games.

A brief statement on the club's official website, www.readingfc.co.uk, read: "Following a meeting, the Chairman, the Board of Reading Football Club and Brendan Rodgers have agreed by mutual consent that Brendan Rodgers will leave his position as first-team manager with immediate effect."

It added: "Reading Football Club will make no further comment at this stage."

Rodgers, who began his coaching career with Reading before moving to Chelsea in 2004, only took charge of first-team affairs at the Madejski Stadium in June following the resignation of Steve Coppell.

The Royals agreed a substantial compensation package with Watford to secure the services of the Northern Irishman, who had impressed many observers in his first managerial role at Vicarage Road.

Rodgers was handed the task of guiding Reading back to the Barclays Premier League but a poor start to the season saw the club struggling near the foot of the table.

And, despite an improved run of results in recent weeks, including a first home victory of the campaign against Blackpool on November 21, they remain in a perilous position, only three points clear of the relegation zone.

A 1-1 home draw with Scunthorpe at the weekend proved to be Rodgers' final game in charge.

After the match, he praised the club's supporters for their understanding, saying: "The crowd are frustrated but they have been great because they can see we have young players, can see what we are trying to do and how we are going to be."