STAR – the Supporters’ Trust at Reading – has made an official statement in reaction to a turbulent time for the club.

In the past three weeks Ron Gourlay resigned as CEO and was replaced by Nigel Howe which was swiftly followed by the departures of manager Paul Clement, sporting director, Gianluca Nani and chief operations officer, Steven Falk.

Vitoria Guimaraes manager Luis Castro is hot favourite with bookmakers to replace Clement amid reports that ‘super agent’ Kia Joorabchian is currently in Portugal to offer him the job.

However, the Chronicle understands there is no guarantee of it happening and Howe has draw up a 10-man shortlist which he presented to the club’s Chinese owners at the weekend.

It is also believes Castro is not a client of Joorabchian's as reported elsewhere, but it represented by agents known to him. 

The likes of Bolton boss Phil Parkinson, Wycombe manager, Gareth Ainsworth, former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic and ex-Aston Villa manager, Steve Bruce, are also believed to be on the list.

STAR were so concerned with Reading’s performances on and off the field they penned an open letter to the club’s hierarchy in late October.

Reading Chronicle:

Paul Clement, left, and Ron Gourlay have both left the club.

In it, they spoke of a ‘club in decline’ and suggested ‘something dramatic or significant’ was required to save Royals from relegation to League 1.

Reading did slip into the bottom three on Saturday after a 2-0 home defeat by promotion-chasing Sheffield United, but the STAR board appear encouraged by the changes that have taken place.

Here is their statement in full:

“Five weeks ago STAR called for those in charge of the club to do something dramatic or significant to stop what we feared was a drift to relegation.

“We are pleased, indeed surprised, therefore to see so much action take place in the past few days.

“Doubtless other factors than our statement came into play.

“We welcome Nigel Howe’s return as CEO and note with interest and approval that the next managerial appointment should “fit the Reading mould.”

“There has been some dislocation in the last couple of years with the club trying to be something that doesn’t match the identity that its supporters recognise.

“Let’s hope, in the words of the blunt chant, “we get our Reading back.

“Paul Clement came in at the end of last season with a very difficult brief, and just managed to keep us in the Championship.

“He came across as a decent, open and hard-working man and we have some sympathy that it didn’t work out for him here.

“It appears the owners are taking a slightly more upfront role, which is good, and that the changes of CEO and manager represent a major shake-up at the club, which is needed.

“Onwards and upwards – URZ!”