Preston 2-3 Reading: Paul Ince is the Guv'nor for the Royals

Preston 2-3 Reading: Lucas Joao double and John Swift goal sets up thrilling victory for Championship strugglers but Royals still sack Veljko Paunovic

• Reading won for the first time in 13 games as they beat Preston 3-2 at Deepdale
• However the Royals confirmed afterwards that Veljko Paunovic had been sacked
• Paul Ince takes over on an interim basis alongside academy boss Michael Gilkes
• It is the former midfielder’s first managerial job since leaving Blackpool in 2014 

Paul Ince, the former England midfielder, has been appointed Reading’s caretaker manager after Veljko Paunovic was sacked shortly after seeing his side win a five-goal thriller at Preston.

Reading chief executive Dayong Pang confirmed that Paunovic had been told on Friday morning he was to be relieved of his duties.

The move followed a fans protest on Wednesday night, when the team bus was blocked from leaving Peterborough after the 0-0 draw, with supporters demanding their Chinese owner Dai Yongge fire Paunovic.

Paul Ince has not managed since 2014 but has been appointed as Reading’s co-interim boss

Ince, nicknamed The Guv’nor in his playing days and whose son Tom joined Reading on loan three weeks ago, will work alongside the club’s academy manager, Michael Gilkes.

Saturday’s result ended a run of 12 games without a win and left the relegation-threatened Royals five points clear of the bottom three.

The Serb had been in charge at Reading for 18 months, guiding them to the verge of the playoffs last season. This season Reading have not been helped by a six-point deduction for a breach of financial rules and a transfer embargo.

Veljko Paunovic leaves Reading with the club currently 21st in the Championship table

Lucas Joao scored twice in the first 19 minutes as Reading beat Preston 3-2 on Saturday

After the win at Deepdale, though, Paunovic accepted his fate as being ‘the best for the club’.

He said: ‘I am aware of the things that are happening and the negativity surrounding me. I never thought that was fair. I don’t think the team needs that. I am completely unselfish in this decision. I just want the team to excel and I want the best for the team and the club.

‘I have a huge respect for the opportunity and the time I spent at the club. Therefore, I just wanted to do the best for the club and we have come to an agreement.

‘We need everyone to support the new manager and the team now. We have made sacrifices so far and it must be paid off with salvation for the team this season.’

Daniel Johnson hoped his goal might spark a comeback for Preston but it was not to be

Paunovic’s days had been numbered since early January when Reading were battered 7-0 at home by Fulham just three days after being humiliated at non-league Kidderminster in the FA Cup.

The victory at Preston was Reading’s first for almost three months. They flew out of the blocks, with Lucas Joao scoring twice inside the first 20 minutes. John Swift added a third early in the second half before late strikes from Daniel Johnson and Cameron Archer left Reading hanging on nervously.

Ince has not been in the dug-out since leaving Blackpool in January 2014. The former England captain has also had spells in charge of Macclesfield, MK Dons and Notts County and also managed in the Premier League with Blackburn, though for just 177 days, one of the shortest reigns in the competition’s history.

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