Reading have sacked manager Brian McDermott, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced.

McDermott returned to the Madejski Stadium for a second spell in charge in December 2015, but was unable to repeat the success of his initial stint at the helm when he led the club to promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

Reading finished 17th in the Championship this season and ended the campaign with a seven-game winless run which included six defeats.

A statement on the club’s official website, readingfc.co.uk, said: “After careful consideration, the board of Reading Football Club have taken the difficult decision to relieve manager Brian McDermott of his duties.

“We would like to sincerely thank Brian for all his hard work since his return to the club in December 2015 and wish him well in his future career.

“The board of Reading Football Club will now undertake a rigorous recruitment process over the next few weeks to identify the right man to lead this club forward and into the 2016-17 season.

“The club will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course.”