Reading are looking once again for a new manager with Jose Gomes being shown the door on Wednesday afternoon after growing speculation that his job was under threat.

He leaves the Royals inside the relegation zone as the international break gets into full swing this weekend and fans will hope a new manager is in place by the time the league resumes.

As with any vacancy, a fair number of names are doing the rounds in getting linked with the role, with the likes of Mark Bowen and Mark Hughes two that have been mentioned.

We caught up with former Royal Ady Williams to discuss their credentials, then, as well as a few other names getting touted.

He told Football League World exclusively:

“Mark Hughes had been the favourite and a few people possibly have put together two and two and made five. Bowen has been at every club 'Sparky' has been at as a coach and in different roles and now it seems the other way round really.

“Bowen has a position at the football club and all of a sudden his name is being touted and the bookies are leading with him.

“That would surprise me. One, because he’s already got a job and, two, because I don’t think he’s got any managerial experience, but clearly, he does have a wealth of football knowledge from days as a player and a coach and now someone that sits in the boardroom.

“So if you’re going to give someone the job that has never been a manager before, he would be high up on the list because of that knowledge he has got.

“I think a lot of Reading fans would sit awkwardly with the appointment, though, knowing that the last 8 or 9 months he, Nigel Howe and Gomes and the owners have all been in a room trying to get results for Reading and I think people will start thinking what has really been going on.”

Another manager being linked with the role is Wycombe man Gareth Ainsworth. His Chairboys side is flying in League One at the moment and his stock is continuing to rise. Meanwhile, Phil Parkinson – a man Royals fans will obviously know well – is free after leaving Bolton a few months ago.

For Williams, both would again be fair candidates:

“Ainsworth is a local man and a very passionate manager. He’s got Wycombe fighting for the championship and we’re almost a quarter of the season in now so it’s not that early to say they are contenders.

“His name came up last time, as did Phil Parkinson’s because of the affiliation with the club. His hands were tied at Bolton but before then he got Bradford to a cup final and gained promotions with other clubs.

“There are lots of names linked so the question is, do you go with someone that’s proven or someone that is a bit of a risk, like Gomes, and bring them in for their first opportunity even in this country.

“The owners are serious; they have backed every manager since coming in but nobody can say right now with any confidence who the manager is going to be.”