READING Rockets have announced head coach Manuel Peña Garcés is leaving the club by mutual agreement.

The Spaniard has been at the helm for five years and parts company with the club on good terms.

Rockets most recently reached the NBL Division One semi final play-offs, where they lost to Hemel Storm.

Rockets chairman, Gary Johnson, thanked Peña Garcés for his contribution to the club and said: “We part company with Manuel on good terms having enjoyed five solid seasons working together. This has been a mutual decision and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Peña Garcés will remain under contract until the end of July, and reflected: “We are finishing something really positive this summer and I’m not yet thinking about the future.

“Thanks to the club, staff, players, supporters and volunteers for making these past five years such a great time. I wish everyone associated with the Rockets all the best.”

Johnson continued: “The vision for Reading Rockets is very clear – to attain British Basketball League status. We will now set out a renewed direction for the club, both technically and operationally, to allow us to fulfil this aspiration. Rockets turn 21 in 2018, which is heralding a new era for the club.

“One of our priority items is to find a permanent venue that meets BBL’s stringent franchise stipulations.

“That can only be achieved with the support from benefactors, government and the community to identify opportunities and raise the necessary funds to make the Rockets BBL vision a reality.

“We recognise the hurdles we have to overcome, which lie most urgently and importantly in finding a permanent home.

“Only from such a venue, can we truly showcase basketball in our region in a representative manner, fitting of BBL status. There is a lot of work to do, but we remain committed to meet our ambitious goals and to put Reading on the international basketball map.”