Reading sack manager Steve Clarke following poor run of Championship results

Reading sack manager Steve Clarke following poor run of Championship results DM.later('bundle', function() { DM.has('back-to-top', 'FloatingButtons'); }); Steve Clarke has been sacked as manager of Championship side ReadingIt comes after Thursday night's 1-0 loss to Queens Park RangersThe Royals have lost four of their last seven league matches Clarke had held talks over becoming the new manager of Fulham  By Adam Shergold for MailOnline

Published: 09:55 GMT, 4 December 2015 | Updated: 11:36 GMT, 4 December 2015

Reading have sacked manager Steve Clarke in the wake of Thursday night's home defeat by Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship.

Clarke was summoned to a meeting with the club's board on Friday morning and relieved of his duties following a fourth defeat in seven matches that left them ninth in the table.

The news came just hours after Clarke insisted he was still the best man for the job at the Madejski Stadium despite fans venting their frustrations on the final whistle after Nedum Onuoha's stoppage time header gave QPR victory.

Reading sacked manager Steve Clarke on Friday morning following a run of four defeats in seven matches

Clarke helped keep Reading in the Championship last season and took them to an FA Cup semi-final

Reading are ninth in the Sky Bet Championship table, having slumped from second earlier in the campaign

That loss was the final straw after the board were angered by Clarke's decision to hold talks with Fulham over their vacant manager's position.

After deciding to stay at Reading, Clarke was warned by chief executive Nigel Howe that he would be judged on results from now on.

And recent losses to Fulham, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and QPR sealed his fate as they slipped from second to ninth in the table.

Nedum Onuoha's late header gave Queens Park Rangers all three points at Reading on Thursday night

Clarke shakes hands with QPR's interim manager Neil Warnock ahead of Thursday night's game

Clarke was appointed in December 2014 and managed to keep the Royals in the second tier while also guiding them to a first FA Cup semi-final in 88 years.

Early results this season were encouraging, with a run of seven wins from eight games taking them second in the Championship before the recent downturn in form.

In total, Clarke presided over a total of 53 matches, winning 19, drawing 14 and losing 20.

A club statement confirmed that under 21 manager Martin Kuhl will take caretaker charge.

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