READING FC have been forced to play down Sir John Madejski's comments suggesting Brian McDermott should have been given more time in charge.

Madejski's staunch defence of McDermott caused embarrassment for Royals' Thai owners during yesterday's press conference at Madejski Stadium to unveil Jaap Stam as the club's new manager.

Co-chairman Madejski was determined to point out he did not agree with the decision taken by the Thais to axe former promotion-winning boss McDermott last month after 161 days in charge.

Madejski, 75, was sitting next to Stam at the time and his statement clearly shocked the top table which included Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth, who owns 25 per cent of the club.

Madejski, who sold Reading to the current Thai owners, stated: “There have been quite a few managers, of course, and I welcome Jaap to Reading. I wish him every success.

“I wish that Brian (McDermott) had been given a bit longer but the shareholders decided it was time for a change.

“I respect their decision although I didn't agree with the decision and felt Brian should have stayed longer.

“But that's in the past now. We have to move forward and I would like to wish Jaap and the Thai board of directors every success for the future. I really mean that.”

Yet is is clear Madejski would not have pulled the trigger so quickly had he still been in charge.

He added: “I always want a manager to stay as long as possible. A manager take a long time to set out its stall, it doesn't happen overnight.

“They need time to get their feet under the table and understand the club, shareholders and the squad.

“A lot of great managers in this country didn't get off to a flying start but they proved to be the best. I don't think my opinion about that has changed.”

However, the timing of Madejski's outspoken views clearly angered Royals hierarchy, including chief executive Nigel Howe, who was also sitting a few feet away at the time.

“I thought that was a remarkable statement - even by Sir John’s standards,” Howe said in an interview with BBC Radio Berkshire.

“But Sir John we know has a tendency to be a bit off the wall at times.

“I think probably because he wasn’t part of the selection process, because as we know he’s not part of the running of the club on an active basis anymore, he probably felt he wanted to vent himself and he was given a platform to do so.

“I would have hoped he would have picked a different forum to do that.”

Stam, 43, signed a two-year contract with Reading yesterday and will be joined by new first-team coaches Andries Ulderink and Said Bakkati, who both previously worked with him at Ajax.

Royals also confirmed current coaches Dave Beasant and Steven Reid will remain with the club.