Ex-Reading boss Jose Gomes could be called something of a managerial journeyman, with his coaching career spanning across several countries, multiple divisions and two continents.

However, his first and only spell in England thus far came at Championship side Reading, joining the Royals from Rio Ave in December 2018 and being tasked with the responsibility of keeping them afloat in the second tier.

Succeeding Paul Clement, he arrived at a side that were sitting in 21st place and in a real mess following multiple windows of failed overspending, only being kept outside of the relegation zone at that point on goal difference.

Things initially looked bleak at the beginning of his tenure, winning just one point from a possible nine in his opening three league games as boss, suffering a humiliating 4-1 home defeat against Swansea City on New Years Day and sitting in 23rd at that point.

Results may not have vastly improved straight away after this torrid baptism of fire, but the loan signings of Ovie Ejaria, Lewis Baker, Nelson Oliveira, Emiliano Martinez and Matt Miazga helped to bring a feel-good factor to Berkshire, something Gomes also played a part in after a disappointing previous 18 months at the club following their play-off final defeat.

This helped the second-tier outfit to pick up vital narrow wins, with memorable victories against Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic during the February/March period going a long way in securing their survival.

With this, he was given the opportunity to lead the Royals into the next season, although he has recently claimed he was close to leaving the club during that summer period due to his lack of say in the recruitment process.

There were still high expectations though after a late flurry of signings, with George Puscas, Lucas Joao, Rafael Cabral, Pele, Lucas Boye all arriving in August 2019 and Ejaria returning on another temporary deal.

But after winning just one of his former side's opening 11 matches of the 2019/20 Championship season, not having a huge amount of time to work with his new players, he was dismissed in the October.

This hasn't deterred other clubs from hiring him though, arriving at Portuguese top-flight outfit Maritimo in November 2019 and improving their form slightly as he guided them through the rest of the campaign, before moving on to UD Almeria.

Enjoying a reasonably successful 2020/21 season with the Spanish second-tier side and seeing them firmly competing in the play-off zone, his sacking in April this year came as a major surprise, opting to move away from Europe and return to Asia four months later.

This is when he joined Saudi top-tier side Al-Taawoun for the third time as manager, though they are currently sitting outside of the drop zone on goal difference.

After finishing fourth during the previous season, another dismissal could be on the cards for the 51-year-old unless he can change their fortunes.

Nonetheless, he still dreams of winning a league title in his home country of Portugal, admitting he also has aspirations of achieving European glory.

That cannot be ruled out - but he needs to stay at a club for the long term if he wants to build something special and achieve his core aims.