Reading FC: Two coaching staff depart amid 'ongoing financial challenges'
- Published
Andrew Sparkes joined Reading in July after working with Ruben Selles at Southampton last season
Reading assistant boss Andrew Sparkes and director of player development Eddie Niedzwiecki have left the club.
Financial pressures led to a restructure of the coaching staff, with Ruben Selles' number two Sparkes leaving having joined the club in July.
Niedzwiecki returned to the Royals in 2022 having previously been assistant manager from 2019-2021.
"Ongoing financial challenges at the club meant changes were necessary," a club statement, external said.
"Both Andrew and Eddie were valued members of the first team set-up. We would like to wish them the very best of luck with the next chapter in their respective careers."
Swansea-born Sparkes, 38, was Southampton's goalkeeper coach for four seasons and held similar roles at Orlando Pirates and in the youth sections of New York Red Bulls and his hometown club.
Niedzwiecki, 64, played for Wrexham and Chelsea, and won two Wales caps, before having to retire because of injury at 28. He has served as a coach for Mark Hughes with Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Southampton.
Last month Reading owner Dai Yongge was fined £20,000 for failing to deposit the necessary wages at the League One club.
Dai was charged with misconduct by the English Football League in September after not banking enough money to cover 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill.
The Chinese businessman, who is looking to sell the Berkshire club, is also required to maintain the deposit levels set out by the EFL until at least the end of August.
The Royals have already had 10 points deducted this season for further financial breaches.
'Still riddled with off field troubles'
Analysis - Tim Dellor, BBC Radio Berkshire sports editor
New year, but same old Reading. Lots of us are looking to make savings after over-indulging in December. Reading enjoyed December on the pitch, but the club is still riddled with off field troubles.
Reducing costs by trimming the head count is an obvious way to save, but perhaps who they have dispensed with is more startling.
Andrew Sparkes was only appointed assistant manager in July, and had previously worked with manager Ruben Selles. Eddie Niedzwiecki is head of football operations Mark Bowen's right-hand man.
Officially he was director of player development, but he was heavily involved in all team affairs. He was a goalkeeper, Sparkes was a goalkeeping coach previously, and then there is the current Reading goalkeeping coach, Tony Warner.
All three bring more than just keeping expertise, but the coaching staff was looking lop-sided, in terms of experience, specialism, and sheer numbers.
Evaluating a coach's contribution and worth from outside the camp is a fool's game - but the fact Reading have only won seven of their 25 League One games makes the cuts justifiable. In more healthy financial circumstances though you would find a role for them somewhere at the club. It is a cost-saving measure.
The first team coaching staff did look lavish for a club struggling at the wrong end of League One - there were frequently a dozen back room staff accompanying the team on away days.