Assistant manager Andy Crosby and first-team coach Dean Wilkins have also left the club.

The decision comes in the wake of a poor run of results for the Royals, culminating in a 6-1 defeat at Birmingham on Saturday.

It was the club's biggest defeat since 1999 and forced the board into a change of manager.

Adkins took to Twitter this evening to thank people for the support he received at the Madejski Stadium.

He tweeted: "Thank you to everyone for your support in my time at Reading FC, especially Andy Crosby + Dean Wilkins."

Garath McCleary tweeted: "Deflating".

Speaking after Saturday's game, Adkins had insisted he was the man to turn things around.

He said: “It’s a very poor scoreline and obviously very disappointing.

“We will reflect upon it and sometimes you can say words that are emotional after a game, so we’ll reflect upon it in the cold light of day. Then we’ve got to pick ourselves up and get ready to go again.

“Believe you me, I’ve a very proud man and I hate losing. I’m taking the emotion away from maybe saying something I will regret, because I think that’s sensible because I have to pick the guys up and go again.

“I’ve also got to pick the club up, I think that’s important. Like I say I’m very proud in what I do and I think that’s the best angle for me to take on it right now.”

Adkins was in an equally bullish mood this morning, tweeting [sic]: "Good morning. Yes bad result on Sat. Read your messages reflecting over weekend. Embracing challenge to turn it around. WE can do it together."

Reading will make an announcement in due course on who will take charge of first-team duties for the visit of Watford on Saturday.

Academy Director Eamonn Dolan is likely to step in for the match.

The bookies favourite to succeed Adkins at the moment is Chris Hughton, with Tony Pulis, Tim Sherwood and Tony Mowbray also amongst the frontrunners.

Who do you think should be appointed? Leave a comment below.