BRIAN Tevreden has sensationally quit Reading FC today after two-and-a-half years as sporting director.

The Dutchman is believed to have fallen out with the club's chief executive, Ron Gourlay, over a number of issue including player recruitment.

Tevreden will take up a new role as chief executive of Belgian club KSV Roeselare, which also belongs to Royals owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.

And Reading have already found Tevreden's replacement in Italian Gianluca Nani, who held down similar positions at both West Ham and Watford.

It is believed Tevreden had felt increasingly marginalised at Madejski Stadium over the past six months.

It is understood Tevreden’s working relationship with Gourlay, who joined the club in July 2017, had broken down and a parting of the ways was inevitable.

Sources suggest Tevreden felt decisions over transfers and contracts were being taken over his head.

It is thought the 36-year-old strongly disagreed with the decision to hand veteran striker Yann Kermorgant a new contract in November last year.

The 35-year-old – who had been battling with injuries – had his contract paid up earlier this summer and left the club by mutual consent.

In addition, Tevreden is believed to have found out about Jaap Stam’s departure in March through club staff and was not consulted by Gourlay over the appointment of current boss Paul Clement.

A number of other high-profile staff have also quit Royals since Gourlay and chief operating office Steven Falk arrived including Academy manager Lee Herron, who has since joined Arsenal.

Behind the scenes, commercial director, Adam Benson, left for Gloucester Rugby while the club’s long-serving marketing manager, Dara Thomas, has handed in her notice.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading's new sporting director, Gianluca Nani.

On top of that Tevreden – a champion of Reading’s youth system – also became frustrated with Gourlay’s decision to sign players from elsewhere rather than blood Academy players.

Reading FC released a statement on Wednesday that put a positive spin on the dramatic events, with Tevreden saying: “It has been an absolute honour to represent Reading Football Club during the last two and a half years and a real privilege to work alongside so many good people within the club – owners, members of the board, managers, coaches, players, supporters and staff.

“Now I am really looking forward to this new challenge with KSV Roeselare.”

Tevreden joined Reading in 2016 as head of international football development and was quickly promoted to technical director to replace Nick Hammond.

Gourlay added: “Brian has worked very hard for this football club and I have enjoyed working with him.

“He has certainly earned this new opportunity. Personally, I would like to wish him every success in his new role with Roeselare and all the very best for the future.”