Reading appoint Rodgers as new boss

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LONDON, June 5, 2009 (AFP) - Brendan Rodgers, a former member of Jose Mourinho's coaching staff at Chelsea, has been appointed as the new manager of Championship club Reading.

Rodgers was manager of Watford from November until the end of the season but has opted to return to Reading, where he spent nine years as academy manager before moving to Chelsea in 2004.

The 36-year-old succeeds Steve Coppell, who resigned as manager last month after Reading lost to Burnley in the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League.

Reading's chairman, Sir John Madejski, described Rodgers as the "perfect fit" for the club.

"He started his career here, we have always got on well and had a mutual respect for one another," Madejski said. "He furthered his footballing education at Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the land, and now he brings that wealth of knowledge back to Reading.

Rodgers added: "This is a fantastic opportunity and I cannot wait to get started. This is a new cycle for Reading and I am delighted to be the man chosen to lead the club to more success."