By Wayne Veysey

31st May, 2023 | 3:09pm

Sources: Reading close to appointing ex-Watford and Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder

Reading are closing in on appointing former Sheffield United and Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder as their new manager, sources have told Football Insider.

The Royals, who suffered relegation to League One from the Championship in the 2022-23 campaign, have been without a permanent manager since Paul Ince’s sacking in April.

Noel Hunt succeeded Ince as interim boss until the end of the season, but couldn’t prevent the Berkshire outfit from dropping to the third tier.

Wilder, 55, is keen on a move to Reading and the job of leading them back to the Championship next season.

Talks are underway over a deal with all parties increasingly hopeful of reaching an agreement.

Wilder left Watford at the end of the season after a short spell in charge.

He took charge of 11 games during his time with the Hornets, recording just three wins.

Middlesbrough also relieved Wilder of his duties earlier on in the 2022-23 campaign – moving to replace him with Michael Carrick in October after he won just two from a possible 12 games.

The former right-back has seen success in a managerial career that has spanned 597 games, however.

He enjoyed a five-year spell with boyhood club Sheffield United from 2016 to 2021, leading them to promotion from League One and the Championship.

Wilder left Bramall Lane by mutual consent in 2021, just a year after leading the Blades to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

Reading have released their retained list after the conclusion of their 2022-23 campaign, with Scott Dann, Luke Southwood, Shane Long, Liam Moore, Lucas Joao and Dejan Tetek all confirmed to be exiting the club.

The Royals will play in the third tier next season for the first time since 2002.

In other news, Leicester set sights on EFL star to replace James Maddison.