Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit drops claim on Noel Hunt's Reading FC future | OneFootball

Noel Hunt is under serious pressure at Reading FC

Reading FC manager Noel Hunt is under immense pressure to keep his job.

Last season saw the Royals narrowly miss out on a spot in the League One play-offs after finishing seventh in the standings, just three points behind Leyton Orient in sixth.

After Dai Yongge’s tenure as owner came to an end in the summer, optimism was rife at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, that they can build upon the previous campaign and successfully fight for promotion.

That hasn’t proven to be the case however. The Berkshire outfit have scored just 11 points in their opening 11 matches of the new term, leaving them inside the relegation zone as we complete the season’s first quarter.

Reading were winless in their first five matches but picked up a crucial victory over Port Vale at the sixth attempt. The Royals have avoided defeat in their last four league outings, recording draws with Mansfield Town, Exeter City and Stockport County as well as an important triumph against Leyton Orient.

Despite this, manager Hunt is under pressure to keep his job. Football League World exclusively revealed that Reading are on the verge of parting ways with the 42-year-old, who has been in charge since December 2024.

When discussing whether the Royals need to make a change exclusively with Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder, Lee Hendrie, believes that Hunt should be afforded more time to turn things around.

Lee Hendrie calls for Reading FC to give Noel Hunt more time

“They're sitting close to the bottom of the table,” stated Hendrie. “But we're still in the season’s early stages.

“Reading were expected to do well this season. Noel had the task of trying to take them into a promotion race. As I said, it's still early doors.

“Results have been better of late and that can turn the season around, particularly in League One, where you can go on a good run and end up finding yourself in the top half.

“I'd love to see Reading stick with him. But obviously, the fans have their own voice and are worried about their situation where they're sitting low down in the league.”

Noel Hunt must deliver immediately to keep Reading FC job

Although Hunt did an excellent job for Reading last season, it appears like his days as manager of the club may be numbered unless he can turn things around quickly.

The Royals’ recent form could arguably evoke a small bit of optimism within the club’s higher-ups, as a run of four matches without a defeat in the league shows that things are slowly improving.

If Hunt’s side can start turning some of their draws into victories, they will soon climb the League One standings and pressure on the manager will begin to lift.

These results must come quickly though, as the threat of relegation may eventually prove too large and action will subsequently be taken.