Brendan Rodgers leaves Watford for Reading

WATFORD FC regret to announce the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers to Championship Club Reading, he leaves his position after only seven months in charge at Vicarage Road.
Following contact from Reading on Friday requesting permission to talk to Rodgers, Watford Chairman Jimmy Russo initially rebuffed this approach. Then over the weekend Rodgers expressed his desire to have the opportunity to speak to the Berkshire based outfit. Russo said: “Following speculation over the Reading vacancy I had spoken to Brendan only last week and he had assured me that he was 100% committed to Watford FC and our plan for the future. “Once Brendan had confirmed his desire to discuss the opportunity and Reading had met a contractual compensation figure, we were powerless to prevent him doing so. “I then spent up until Monday evening negotiating with Reading a vastly improved compensation package, starting at £500k and potentially rising to £1m. “We also had a frank and open conversation with the manager on Monday afternoon to further understand his position. It was at this stage he strongly reinforced his desire to talk to Reading.”Northern Irishman Rodgers had an interview with the Berkshire based outfit on Tuesday.