McDermott has no scores to settle on return

McDermott is relishing his Royals return after a 13-year association with the club and says he still has respect for Zingarevich, the man who stunned football by controversially sacking him in March.

McDermott is adamant his memories have not been tarnished by the abrupt manner of his departure, which came not long after he was named Premier League ‘manager of the month’ in January and with just nine games left in the season.

The 52-year-old’s replacement, Nigel Adkins, was strongly touted for the Leeds post ahead of heading to Reading, but the transient world of football was such that McDermott – just 32 days after his exit – headed to Elland Road.

McDermott, whose side aim to extend their unbeaten away run to four games, is likely to be handed a standing ovation from home fans this evening, having famously taken the club to the Championship title in 2011-12.

The Leeds chief said: “I’ve got no scores to settle, absolutely none. I spoke to Nigel Adkins when he got the job and wished him well. I said if anyone was going to take over the job after me, I was glad it was him.

“It’s (the sacking) not relevant to me any more. I look instead at the 13 years I had there and the great times. Anton made the decision when he did and I said to him at the time ‘we’ll always be friends.’ We won a Championship together. That hasn’t changed.

“Sometimes in life or as managers, people just get fed up. People get fed up of managers. Fans, owners and players can.

“That could have been the case. Who knows? It was my time for whatever reason and I left. That was the decision of the owner which I have respect for. I’ve absolute respect for Anton.”

McDermott, whose No 2, Nigel Gibbs, and fitness coach Jon Goodman also make their first returns to Reading tonight, added: “It would be wrong of me to say that this game doesn’t mean a lot to me. Of course it does.

“I spent such a large part of my career at that club. I did the best I could day in and day out so my conscience is clear as far as that’s concerned. And I think I made them a lot of money.”

Last six games: Reading DWLLDD; Leeds WLWWDD.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancs).

Last time: Reading 2 Leeds 0; April 6, 2012; Championship.

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