McDermott stay delights Harte
Reading defender Ian Harte has revealed his delight in manager Brian McDermott committing his future to the club.
Last Updated: 05/03/12 10:25am
Reading defender Ian Harte has revealed his delight in manager Brian McDermott committing his future to the club.
McDermott recently turned down the chance to discussing becoming the new manager of Wolves by signing a new three-and-a-half year contract with the Championship outfit.
Recent form has seen Reading win their last six games and move to within just four points of the automatic promotion places.
The Royals' boss almost led the club to a Premier League return last season, only to be denied in the Championship play-off final against Swansea.
McDermott has been with Reading since December 2009 and veteran full-back Harte admits it was crucial to keep hold of the 50-year-old.
Important
He said: "It was massively important that the manager stayed and we're delighted.
"If the manager had gone then it might have upset things and we'd have had a new manager coming in with new ideas.
"It was a big opportunity for him to go to the Premier League but it just goes to show that he thinks he can take Reading back to the Premier League."
Meanwhile, Harte is eying a new contract after being involved in 21 Championship games for Reading this season.
The 34-year-old's contract expires at the end of the campaign but he is still an important part of the squad.
Harte scored a trademark free-kick against Middlesbrough last month, his first goal of the season, and is desperate to play in the top flight again.
Investment
He last played in the Premier League in a brief spell with Sunderland in 2008, but was an important part of the Leeds United squad that reached the Champions League at the turn of the millennium.
Reading's ambitions have been backed up by Russian millionaire Anton Zingarevich, who is set to become the new owner of the club, and Harte is excited by the possibility of returning to the top.
He said: "There's investment with the new Russian owner, it looks like we're going from strength to strength.
"It's everyone's dream to play in the Premier League. My contract is up at the end of the season, so I'm just hoping I can keep playing well and stay in the team."
