Dillon To Lead Royals Into Battle

Last updated : 10 September 2003 By Rob Cooper

Kevin Dillon is to take charge of Reading as they take on now deadly-rivals West Ham in what is sure to be an explosive game at Upton Park on Saturday.

Dillon, who for the past two years has served as Pardew's assistant, is to be handed the reigns for Saturday's game, albeit on a temporary basis.

The future of Alan Pardew remains unclear. The Royals 'boss' will

remain a Reading Football Club employee as he is unable to leave the club without illegally breaching his contract.

Madejski may well end up settling for a compensation package in the region of £250,000 but he could stoutly refuse to let the super manager leave and instead keep Pards at the club. One thing is for sure, he will no longer be in charge of first team affairs as he no longer is serious about taking Reading Football Club forward.

A statement from the club confirmed that until the situation is resolved Kevin Dillon, and the rest of Pardew's backroom staff, will take control of first team affairs.

"The manager Alan Pardew has tendered his resignation, which the Reading board has not accepted," the club startlingly revealed.

"The team will be managed by Kevin Dillon, assisted by the current management team of Brian McDermott, Nick Hammond and Niall Clark, for the game at West Ham on Saturday."

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