Steve Clarke under pressure at Reading after rejecting Fulham - Sir John Madejski

Reading boss Steve Clarke has still got the backing of the club, despite holding talks over a possible move to Fulham.

Clarke looked set to take over at Craven Cottage, only to change his mind and Reading's co-chairman Sir John Madejski is delighted they kept hold of their manager.

Madejski, celebrating the 25th anniversary of becoming chairman, expressed his respect at Clarke's conduct while the speculation built over his future at the Royals.

The 74-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ: "He could have easily done it sneakily, but he didn't. He went there (to Fulham) he didn't like it and he came back. Clearly it puts more pressure on him to do well, but I am happy with that."

Madejski is the longest serving chairman in the top two flights of the English game and remains a key figure at the club, despite the takeover by a Thai consortium last year.

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Reading were still playing at Elm Park when he took over and since then they have been in the Premier League for three seasons and played in the semi-final of last season's League Cup, where they were knocked out by Arsenal.

Madejski set his sights on building a new home ground and Reading made the move to the £25m stadium named after him in 1999.

He added: "When I took over in 1990, footballers were footballers and I always remember that we used to have a game and if we won I used to take them into the bar and they'd all have a pint of beer.

"Not anymore. Why? Because they are highly-tuned athletes."

In 2006 Reading were promoted to the top flight of English football for the first time in their 135-year history with a record number of points under manager Steve Coppell.

"It was one of the happiest days of my life," said Madejski.

The Royals, relegated from the Premier League in 2008 on goal difference, returned to the top flight under Brian McDermott, but they dropped out again in 2013 after finishing second bottom of the table.