Reading FC: Steve McClaren beats Jaap Stam to Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award

Royals’ Dutch boss was on a four-man shortlist for the November prize, along with Aston Villa’s Steve Bruce, Owen Coyle of Blackburn Rovers and former England boss McClaren.

Reading won all three league games last month after beating Wigan 3-0 away, Burton 3-0 at home and Bristol City 2-1 also at Madejski Stadium.

That extended their run of league wins to five matches, taking them into the top three places in the Championship table.

But that was not enough to convince the juding panel, who gave the monthly award to McClaren.

Like Reading, the Rams claimed nine points from a possible nine during November to put them back in the promotion picture.

McClaren said: “It’s been a big team effort; this award is one for the rest of the staff and the players because they’ve done the work. I’ve been very lucky to come back into a good situation here and inherit a really good squad and backroom team.

“Chris Powell, Kevin Phillips, Pascal Zuberbuhler, Steve Haines and the medical team have been fantastic and the players have bought into what we want to do. We got the rewards with the points we picked up in November.”

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “Most people in football were surprised that Steve was reappointed manager of Derby County but the results have shown what a great decision they made.

“Steve has got them scoring goals and winning games again.”

It is the second time Stam has been nominated for the monthly award since his arrival in June.

He was also up for the September prize, only to miss out to Norwich City’s Alex Neil.

Reading were not represented in the Sky Bet Championship November Player of the Month category with Tom Ince (Derby County), Tomasz Kuzsczak (Birmingham City), Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest) and former Royal Steve Sidwell (Brighton) making up the shortlist.

The prize went to ex-Arsenal player Lansbury.