Gourlay praises Royals owners for their support
RON GOURLAY says he could not have asked for more from Reading’s Chinese owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.
Some Royals fans have grown increasingly frustrated at a perceived lack of communication from the brother and sister, who took charge of the club almost a year ago.
But Gourlay, who maintains regular contact with the duo, says they have been fully supportive and in tune with the day-to-day running of the club after last week replacing Jaap Stam with Paul Clement as first team manager.
“The backing of the owners has been incredible from day one,” said chief executive Gourlay.
“They’ve never wilted on their vision for the football club, they are very ambitious and it was very, very important that we bring ambitious and positive people into the football club.
“That’s key. We already had a lot of people like that in our club at this present time.
“They’ve not set any times against targets but we all know that they want to see improvement through the football club and we know this year has been very difficult and challenging.
“We have to put that behind us and we have to keep a positive mental attitude. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
He added: “There’s been massive support from day one and everything we could’ve given the past management we have given the past management.
“But together we decided that now, and there’s never an easy time for a change, there’s never any guarantees with change, but we altogether felt that we needed a fresh change and a fresh direction at the football club.”
Jaap Stam’s position at the club had been under increasing scrutiny during a wretched run of just one win in 18 league matches, which culminated in a 3-2 loss at Norwich City last time out.
Royals now sit 20th in the Championship, just three points clear of the relegation zone.
And Gourlay says Stam deserved time to try and turn things around.
“We had owners who wanted to give the utmost support to the manager,” he said.
“Him and his team did very, very well last season.
“They wanted to give every possible opportunity. You know in football the games start passing by and sometimes you’re hoping for a change in luck and the confidence maybe to come back with every game you go forward.
“There’s never a good time. “I explained to the owners that when you look at the records, when a change has been made with managers, there’s not always a guaranteed result there.
“It doesn’t always work as you’d want it to.
“But I think we got to a point, and I say we because my regular contact with the manager got to a point where we had conversations, we sat down together with the ownership and we all decided that this was the best time to make a change.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the owners.
“They’ve been incredibly supportive.”
Gourlay also confirmed that Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li are likely to be present at this Friday’s clash against Queens Park Rangers at Madejski Stadium (5.30pm).