Reading legend on importance of the 'successful' Academy and 'growing your own'
Sir John Madejski & Rob Couhig (Image: ©Jason Dawson)
Iconic former Reading owner Sir John Madejski has spoken out on the importance of the Academy while speaking highly of soon-to-be new owner Rob Couhig.
The American lawyer, who previously owned Wycombe Wanderers, agreed to buy the club 'in principle' last weekend and is expected to formally ratify the deal this week.
Over 21,000 supporters were at the SCL Stadium on Saturday for the final match of the season, a 4-2 defeat to Barnsley which signalled a seventh-place finish for Noel Hunt's side.
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Looking ahead to a new era, Madejski- who owned the club between 1990 and 2012 and oversaw two promotions to the Premier League, has underlined the importance of the club's youth system.
Reaching the final of the Under-18 Premier League Cup, following on from last year's success at Under-21 level, most of the squad is made up of Academy graduates due to years of transfer embargoes.
"Our Academy program has been one of the most successful around. We have to grow our own as much as possible," Madejski told BBC Radio Berkshire. "We have a great young squad as we speak, and I think the fact they have some comfort knowing they are going to get their salaries next month is a to concentrate on more of the same.
"Rob knows full well about embellishing new players so I'm sure he will be totally on top of all that. He's a very hard-working man, only yesterday I saw him working away. He will get it right as much as anyone can get it right and we should all be very grateful that we have Rob Couhig here to take the club over.
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"I'm delighted it has happened at last because we've been waiting for this for two long years and I am afraid the Dai Yongge administration was a disaster from top to bottom."
During Dai Yongge's eight year spell, the club lost over £180m, were relegated to the third tier for the first time in over 30 years and were constantly indebted to organisations.
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