Tedd Drake
Drake began his managerial career with Hendon FC in 1946 before moving to Reading in 1947, a club he spent five years with, his finest season was the 1951-52 campaign that saw Reading to a fine second place finish in the division, narrowly missing out on promotion. His success at the club earned him a move to manage Chelsea FC, and at the club he enjoyed huge success. He led the Blues to winning their only league title during the entire 20th century as they won the league at the end of the 1954-55 season. He is also well known as becoming the first ever person to win the league title as a player and as a manager. After his fine spell at Chelsea he went on to become reserve team manager at Fulham FC in 1961.

Ian Branfoot
Branfoot was installed as the Reading manager in the 1984-85 season and his spell at club witnessed many high points. He helped the club to promotion to the third division at the end of the 84-85 campaign. He also took the club to the second division by the end of the 1985-86 season as Reading won the League championship comfortably. Another highlight of his five year spell in charge at the club was winning the Simod Cup in 1988 as Reading thrashed Luton, 4-1 in the final. He later on managed Fulham for two season in the early 1990’s.

Charlie Hurley
Hurley played his football for Sunderland during his long spell at the club and was a favourite with the fans, many regarding the player as their finest centre back that they have ever produced. He was installed manager of Reading FC in 1972 and went on to spend five years managing the club. He helped the club to promotion into the third division at the end of the 1975-76 season.

Terry Bullivant
Bullivant commenced his managerial career with Barnet prior moving on to manage Reading FC. His spell in charge at reading only lasted one season, due to a poor run of results. He soon later on moved on to becoming a member of the coaching staff at Crystal palace. In October 2004, Bullivant was installed as the new manager of Watford and was caretaker manager at the club for a short time period.

Ian Porterfield
Porterfield began his managerial career with a bang at Rotherham United as he led the club to winning the third division championship in 1981. He soon moved on to manage Sheffield United. He helped Sheffield United to promotion to the second division and his success at the club earned him a position as manager of Aberdeen. He spent two seasons with the Scottish club before being installed as the Reading manager in 1988. He spent three years in charge with Reading FC and his fine time at the club earned him the managerial job at Chelsea FC.

Alan Pardew
Pardew began his managerial career at Reading in the year 1999; his time at the club was a huge success helping the cub to promotion in the 2001/02 season. Pardew nearly gained a second successive promotion as he took the club to the play offs of the 2002-03 season, narrowly missing out on promotion to the premiership, losing against Wolves. His excellent managerial status at the club earned him the attention of West Ham United; he was installed manager of West Ham and enjoyed success during the 2004-05 season as he helped West Ham to promotion back into the premiership as they beat Preston in the play off final. He led West Ham to the 2006 FA Cup final and helped guide the club to a top half finish at the end of the 2005-06 season.

Steve Coppell
Coppell was installed as manager of Crystal palace in 1983 after his playing career was cut short by injury. During his first spell in charge at Palace, he led the club to promotion to the top flight at the end of the 1988-89 season via the play offs. He took Crystal Palace to the final of the 1990 FA Cup and the 1990-91 campaign was a fine one for Coppell as his side finished the season off in third position in the top flight. In 1996 he had a short spell in charge of Man City before returning to Crystal Palace for the 1997-98 season. In 2001 he took charge at Brentford FC and led the team to the play off final in 2002, narrowly losing the final. He then had a short spell in charge at Brighton and Hove Albion; however he could not stop the team from relegation. In October 2003 he was installed as the new manager of Reading and did a great job at the club. He helped Reading to promotion to the premiership as they won the championship at the end of the 2005-06 season. He is now once again managing a top flight club.