LONDON: Reading appointed Paul Clement as their new manager on Friday, replacing Dutchman Jaap Stam who was sacked by the relegation-threatened Championship side on Wednesday. Clement, who was previously the manager of Premier League strugglers Swansea City before his sacking in December, will take charge ahead of Reading’s league game against Queens Park Rangers at the Madejski Stadium on March 30. “I am delighted to have secured the services of a hugely experienced forward-thinking manager like Paul,” Reading chief executive Ron Gourlay said. Reading parted company with Stam after a run of poor results that left the second-tier club languishing in 20th place in the 24-team Championship, three points above the drop zone. “Everyone at Reading is fully behind Paul and his players as we initially set our sights on an eight-game battle and continue to strive to the take this club forward,” Gourlay added. Published in Daily Times, March 24th 2018.