Gibbs signs new deal at RFC

Reading’s first team coach Nigel Gibbs has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the club.

The 46-year old has been at the Madejski Stadium since 2006, where he has worked his way up since becoming a youth coach, to reserve team manager and now to assistant working alongside current boss Brian McDermott. Gibbs started his coaching career at hometown club Watford in 2002.

Speaking to the RFC official site, Gibbs stated: ‘When I first came into the club I was the development coach and Brian and I did the reserves together, but I knew him before that. We have the same ideas about football, we always want to go out and win and we enjoy playing fast, attacking football.’

‘We have fantastic back up with the staff around us and we all work well together. I’m absolutely delighted, I got offered the contract at the end of last week and had no hesitation in signing. I’m really looking forward to the season run in.’

Manager Brian McDermott would have also been buoyed by the news, considering he signed a new deal himself a few weeks ago. He said: ‘As soon as my contract was signed I wanted to discuss Nigel’s deal and I am delighted that he has committed to a three-and-a-half year contract.’

‘He is a really important person. To me, he is second to none in terms of his phenomenally consistent workrate, the day-to-day experience he brings to the players out on the pitch and his real enthusiasm for the game. I am delighted to have him by my side.’