Brian Mc Dermott (footballer) - Coaching and Managerial Career

Coaching and Managerial Career

After management positions at Slough Town and Woking, McDermott joined Reading as Chief Scout in September 2000, taking over from Maurice Evans. McDermott also became the under-19s and reserve team manager, before taking over as caretaker first team manager following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on 17 December 2009.

McDermott's first game in charge was a 1–1 draw at Bristol City with Simon Church grabbing a 90th minute equaliser for the Royals.

On January 2, 2010 McDermott's Reading took on Premier League side Liverpool in the FA Cup third round, taking the lead through Simon Church before Steven Gerrard equalised for Liverpool. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, earning the Royals a replay at Anfield on 13 January, during which Reading came from 1–0 down to win 2–1 after extra time thanks to a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson in stoppage time after 90 minutes and a header in extra time from Shane Long. This was McDermott's first victory in charge of Reading and the first ever for the club at Anfield.

The Royals went on to beat Premier League side Burnley 1–0 thanks to a late strike from Gylfi Sigurðsson to secure a place in the FA Cup fifth round.

On 27 January 2010 McDermott signed a 12-month rolling contract to become Reading's full-time manager. After that he led the Royals on a four-match winning streak in the league and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 83 years after a 3–2 win over West Bromwich Albion. McDermott was nominated for Manager of the Month for February and won it in March.

McDermott oversaw another exciting FA Cup run in 2010-11, with victories over Premier League clubs West Brom and Everton before narrowly losing to eventual FA Cup winners Manchester City. In the Championship, the Royals recovered from a poor start to finish in 5th and secure a place in the Play-Offs. After a goalless first leg at the Madejski Stadium, Irish striker Shane Long scored twice in a 3-0 win at Cardiff to give Reading a trip to Wembley for the Play-Off Final on 30 May 2011, where his team lost 4-2 to Swansea City, managed by his old colleague, Brendan Rodgers.

The following season, on 17 April 2012, McDermott guided Reading to Premier League promotion with a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest after a superb run of 15 wins in 17 games. On 14 May 2012, McDermott was named as the League Managers Association Championship Manager of the Year at the League Managers Association Awards.

McDermott took charge of his first top flight match as Reading manager on 18 August 2012, drawing 1-1 at home to Stoke.

On Tuesday 30 October 2012, Reading were involved in an extraordinary League Cup match against Arsenal at the Madejski Stadium. Reading were 4-0 up after 35 minutes, but lost the tie 7-5 after extra time. After the match McDermott said: "It was kamikaze football. It's the worst defeat of my career."

McDermott lead Reading to their first Premier League win of the 2012-13 season on 17 November 2012 at the eleventh attempt, defeating Everton 2-1 at home.