Players at Reading have privately expressed their opposition to former Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio becoming their manager, according to the Daily Mail.

Di Canio is apparently the front-runner for the job at the Madejski Stadium, following the sacking of Brian McDermott on Monday.

Fiery

But some of the Royals’ first team players have apparently expressed disdain at the possibility of the fiery Italian’s appointment.

The main reason supposedly is Di Canio’s ‘combative nature’ which could disrupt morale in the squad and have a negative impact.

Also, many of the squad believe that Di Canio does not have sufficient experience, having only managed League One side Swindon.

He was in the stands for Reading’s 2-1 loss to fellow strugglers Aston Villa, which highlights that he may be leading the race for the job.

Experienced

Other managers in contention include former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo and current Brighton and Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet.

Both have greater experience than Di Canio, with Poyet working wonders at Brighton having won promotion to the Championship last year, and his side currently sit as play-off contenders in seventh place.

Di Matteo has managed three clubs, including Premier League side West Bromwich Albion and of course his most notable achievement, winning the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea.

It is thought that Reading owner Anton Zingarevich and director of football Nicky Hammond had a meeting about Di Canio’s possible successor yesterday, according to the newspaper.

It will certainly be a difficult job keeping the side afloat for whoever takes over at the Madejski Stadium, as the team struggle on level points with bottom side Queens Park Rangers.