Reading fires manager Brian McDermott with Premier League team battling against relegation
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Reading has fired manager Brian McDermott in an attempt to keep the team in the Premier League.
Reading (5-16-8) is next-to-last in the 20-team league with nine games left, four points from escaping the relegation zone and ahead of last-place Queens Park Rangers on total goals.
"In our current situation, owner Anton Zingarevich felt that a change was necessary," Reading said in a statement Monday.
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The 51-year-old McDermott had been in charge since 2009 and took the team into the top division for only the second time in its 142-year history.
Reading's next two games are against first-place Manchester United (23-3-2) and fifth-place Arsenal (13-7-8).