Recently departed Reading manager Jose Gomes has stated that he misses the Royals supporters.

The Portuguese boss was sacked after Reading won just two of their opening 11 fixtures, he was replaced by sporting director Mark Bowen. Since his sacking, Bowen has picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 available to him.

The former Royals boss had a brilliant relationship with the fans of the club, and after keeping them in the Championship last season, the Reading fans put on a Portugal day just for Gomes and his staff.

Gomes is now manager of Maritimo, a side in the top league in Portugal. He's expressed that he still misses the Royals supporters and that he left with friends for life.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gomes said: "I really enjoyed the time I spent at Reading. I left big friends for life for sure.

"After I left I refused some offers I received. I miss the Reading fans. I have for all my life a relationship with the club."

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The Verdict

Gomes was a very well liked manager for the Royals, and the Portuguese man will probably have been surprised to see himself sacked having kept Reading in the division last season.

They did spend quite a bit of money throughout the summer so that would have played a significant part in the dismissal. The expectations in the owners eyes have changed from battling in the bottom, to wanting to challenge in and around the top half.

His affiliation has soon been forgotten through, as Bowen has come storming in and been a great success so far. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep getting this Royals side playing.