Reading have announced that they have parted company with manager Jaap Stam "by mutual consent" after a winless run has left them 20th in the Championship, just three points from safety.
Stam, the former Manchester United defender and Netherlands international, was hired by the club prior to last season and took them to the Championship playoff final, which they lost to Huddersfield Town on penalties.
Club statement | Reading Football Club announce that Jaap Stam has left his position as manager of the club with immediate effect - https://t.co/0BZ0785iZ6 pic.twitter.com/b6I0uq5vqC
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) March 21, 2018
They are on a run of just one win in 18 league games and have not won at the Madejski Stadium in the league since Nov. 28, prompting majority shareholders Yongge Dai and Xiu Li Dai to make the move.
"Jaap has not wavered in the time, effort and sheer determination he has put in to try to steer the team away from the position we find ourselves in," the club said in a statement. "However, after careful consideration, the decision has been made that a change is now necessary."
Reading last competed in the Premier League in 2012-13, one year after they secured automatic promotion by winning the Championship.