Richardson will 'be demanding' of Reading owners

Reading manager Leam Richardson says he will "be demanding" of the club's owners in the summer transfer window.

The 46-year-old arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in October last year before going on to lead the Royals to a 12th-placed finish in League One.

Next season Richardson will have his first pre-season with the playing group, and is hoping to have some reinforcements to take into his first full campaign.

"We'll collectively come in together and we'll see what the summer holds," Richardson told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"I'll certainly be demanding as Rob (Couhig) knows the expectations are very high so I think we have to make sure that our squad can live up to that.

"Ultimately, you're judged by the level of player that you've got and I think that's my job to keep pushing the ownership, to keep pushing the club forward in every department."

Richardson, who previously managed Rotherham, Wigan and Accrington Stanley, has won 13 of his 33 matches with the Royals.

He was the first managerial appointment of Couhig's ownership, taking over from Noel Hunt who was given the job after Ruben Selles left in late 2024.

The transfer window opens on 15 June, and Richardson hopes that with some key signings, his side will be able to push for a return to the second tier.

"Before you come in you don't understand the challenges until you're actually parachuted in," he added.

"I think over the months so far we've been positive, optimistic and we've faced many challenges, if we can have that same progression next year we'll be in a really good place.

"This summer if we have a strong recruitment drive, a really good pre-season and if I stand on that touchline at the start of next season and we've ticked all of those boxes, I'd be very confident (Reading can be promoted)."