Championship club Reading have sacked manager Brian McDermott.

The 55-year-old initially took charge of the Royals in 2009 and led the club into the Premier League for the 2012-13 season.

McDermott was sacked in March 2013, however, and spent the remainder of the season with Leeds United, before leaving the Championship club in May 2014.

The former midfielder then took up a scouting role with Arsenal, before returning to Reading in December 2015.

McDermott took control of 30 matches in the second half of the 2015-16 campaign, recording nine wins, eight draws and 13 defeats, but Reading have now decided to seek a new direction.

"After careful consideration, the board of Reading Football Club have taken the difficult decision to relieve Manager Brian McDermott of his duties," read a statement from the club's official website. "We would like to sincerely thank Brian for all his hard work since his return to the club in December 2015 and wish him well in his future career.

"The board of Reading Football Club will now undertake a rigorous recruitment process over the next few weeks to identify the right man to lead this club forward and into the 2016-17 season. The club will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course."

Reading finished last season in 17th spot in the Championship table.