Reading have confirmed the appointment of former Under-16s assistant coach and women’s first team analyst, Pedro Bruno, as manager of their new-look women’s team.

It’s been a turbulent summer for the team following a 10th-placed finish in the Championship last term. At the end of June, they were forced to withdraw from the league due to the club’s wider financial difficulties, and they will now compete in the fifth tier of the women’s pyramid.

They have been taken on by the Reading FC Community Trust, and Emma Hopkins has been appointed their new head of women’s football. They will also train and play their upcoming fixtures at Slough Town’s Arbour Park.

Now, they have a new manager in place as Bruno makes the step from coaching in the youth ranks and assisting the women’s first team as an analyst. He has also held roles such as performance analyst at Cambridge United, and performance football coach at the University of Essex.

“I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to prove myself as a coach and manager,” Bruno told the club website following his appointment. “I believe there is no better place to do this than with Reading.

“I know I need to prove myself and test my limits to see how far I can go, and make a real success not just for me, but for everyone connected to this club. Having spoken with Emma, I understand the desire and ambitions to rebuild and achieve greatness again. 

“It is going to be a challenge, but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. I don’t thrive on easy challenges, so I cannot wait to get started and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

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