RON Gourlay has quit his post as Reading FC chief executive.
The shock news broke late this morning in a statement released by the club.
Gourlay joined Royals in July 2017 but fans struggled to warm to him and his future at Madejski Stadium had been questioned for several weeks.
Players will hopefully respond well to this delightful news. Will gradually regain the supporters who fell out of love whilst RG was in charge and hopefully we recruit well before progressing as a club in every possible way.
— Jake Moore (@JakeMoore352) November 19, 2018
Onwards & upwards. #ReadingFC
The 55-year-old Scotsman leaves with 'immediate effect' and the club has already began the process of finding a replacement.
Like just about every Reading fan I am delighted to see Gourlay leave. Shame he may get a nice fat pay off though as he hasn’t earnt it.#readingfc
— Rob Molloy (@Dobcheck73) November 19, 2018
Gourlay said: “I think now is the right time for change.
“I would like to thank the club’s owners, Mr Dai and Ms Dai, and my senior management team for their tremendous support during a challenging period for the club.
"I wish the manager, his coaching staff and the players every success for the remainder of this season and beyond.”
Many Reading supporters are now calling for the return of Brian Tevreden - the club's former Dutch football director who quit in September following an alleged fall out with Gourlay.
Tevreden sent out a suggestive tweet moments after Royals confirmed Gourlay had left, though the full reasons behind it are unknown.
🔥🔥🔥
— Brian Tevreden (@BTevreden) November 19, 2018
Tevreden is now chief executive of Belgian club KSV Roeselare which also belongs to Royals owners, Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.
The Reading FC statement in full:
Reading Football Club can announce that Ron Gourlay has decided to step down from his role as Chief Executive and leaves the club with immediate effect.
The owners would like to thank Ron for his hard work and professionalism since his appointment in July 2017 and we wish him well in his next venture and future endeavours.
“I think now is the right time for change,” Gourlay said. “I would like to thank the club’s owners, Mr Dai and Ms Dai, and my senior management team for their tremendous support during a challenging period for the club - and I wish the manager, his coaching staff and the players every success for the remainder of this season and beyond.”
Our owners will now work diligently to recruit the right replacement as CEO, focussed on continuing to grow the business and driving this club forward both on and off the pitch. In the interim, the Board will lead our experienced team of senior management to ensure the club is run in a proficient manner.
Mr Yongge Dai and Ms Xiu Li Dai would like to thank Royals fans for their patience during this process and their continued loyal support and passion for this football club.
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