Owner has complete faith in McDermott

Reading owner Anton Zingarevich has complete faith in manager Brian McDermott, despite a stuttering start to the season.

McDermott, 51, had started to become the centre of some media attention in recent weeks, with some media outlets reporting that Zingarevich had been in contact with PSV boss Dick Advocaat about taking over the at the Madejski Stadium. However, Anton has dismissed any of these rumours, saying he is firmly being the former Slough Town manager.

The Russian tycoon said: ‘Everything is fine, we work as a team and will continue to do that. I`m sure that he is the man for the job and I`m sure he can become a very good manager in the Premier League. Of course we discuss things, but right now we`re concentrating on games rather than players because it`s almost two months ahead.’

‘It`s very easy for me because he has good judgement skills in terms of players. Brian has long-term contract so I don`t see any problems. He is the man for the job, he is the manager and I have total faith in him. The way he handles the group and the spirit they have, the manager is a key person in all of that process.’

Anton spoke to journalists Russell Kempson and Laurie Whitwell before our encounter with Everton and the full transcript can be found on the Official Reading FC website here.