JOSE Gomes was confirmed Reading FC manager moments after today's 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.

Gomes watched from the stands relegation-threatened Royals suffered a 12th defeat of the Championship season.

News of his arrival on a lucrative two-and-a-half year deal - along with his backroom staff - was finally announced just as caretaker boss Scott Marshall was ready to start his pre-match press conference.

Gomes is only the second manager from overseas to be appointed by the Royals after Jaap Stam.

Reading reached a 1m euro compensation package with Rio Ave in Portugal for Gomes' services.

It is thought Royals' Chinese owners are also ready to back him in the January transfer window when there could be a major clear-out.

Reading chief executive, Nigel Howe, said: “I am absolutely delighted that, in José Gomes, we have been able to secure the services of a manager with a very impressive reputation in his native Portugal.

“He brings new energy, excitement and impetus to Reading Football Club and, importantly, he boasts a reputation of creating winning teams with an exciting brand of football.

"I would like to personally welcome José to Madejski Stadium and look forward to working closely with him and his coaching team to help to drive this club forward.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank Scott Marshall for taking first team managerial duties over the last couple of weeks. He has been the consummate professional throughout and will remain a vital cog in connecting our Academy with José’s first team going forward.”

Gomes has accrued a wealth of experience in a coaching capacity. Starting out as a youth coach at amateur side CF Valadares in his early twenties, nearby his hometown of Matosinhos, his talents quickly took him into the professional ranks with Paços de Ferreira where he was appointed as assistant manager in 1995.

After a stint as assistant at SC Covilhã and widening his skillset by working as a fitness coach with Gil Vicente and Benfica, Gomes returned to Paços in 2003 for his first taste of first-team management. Over the coming years, his experience was broadened during spells in the dugout with Portuguese sides Aves, Leixões, União Leiria and Moreirense.

In 2008, Gomes took up a position with Portuguese giants Porto, assisting vastly experienced manager Jesualdo Ferreira and helping the side to a league and cup double in his first season. As a duo, Gomes and Ferreira would move on to Spanish top tier side Malaga and Greek goliaths Panathinaikos, giving him his first taste of working outside of his native country.

Gomes built on those international experiences when he took his next role as a head coach, steering Hungarian outfit Videoton to a fourth-placed finish and to the final of the Ligakupa in the 2013-14 season.

That was followed by taking the hotseat at Saudi clubs Al-Taawoun and Al-Ahli (winning the Saudi Super Cup with the latter), Abu Dhabi-based side Baniyas, and a second spell with Al-Taawoun before a return to his homeland to join up with Rio Ave last June. Gomes arrives in RG2 having led the Vila do Conde-based side to sixth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Gomes will be supported by First Team Assistant Coach Jorge Mendonça, Analyst and Assistant Coach João Penedo, Goalkeeping Coach Jorge Baptista and Fitness Coach Rui Santos who all join the coaching staff.

Royals owner Dai Yongge said, “We are delighted to have been able to bring José and his staff to the club. He comes to Madejski Stadium with a reputation as a forward-thinking coach whose teams are renowned for attacking and effective football.

"We are looking forward to helping him drive the club forward into a new and successful era and I am sure that all of our supporters will join me in welcoming him to our club.”

Readiinng also confirmed coaching assistant Nigel Gibbs and Karl Halabi pllus goalkeeping coach, Dave Beasant, have left the club to make way for Gomes' own backroom staff.