Aston Villa makes their way to the stadium ahead of the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Friday May 16, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE _(Image: Nick Potts)_
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Reading are continuing their search for a new assistant manager after their number one target, Richard Beale, opted to join Aston Villa instead.
The former West Bromwich Albion youth coach has worked almost exclusively in the West Midlands, taking in spells at Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Brom in the last 15 years.
Hunt's first choice to replace Nigel Gibbs, who has ironically moved to the Hawthorns himself, Beale had verbally agreed to join the Royals last month.
However, a last-minute offer from Premier League Villa turned his head and as such, Beale has opted out of a move to Berkshire.
Rather than being an assistant first team manager in League One, the 49-year-old will head up the Under 18s at Villa Park, a role he held in 2019.
Royals owner Rob Couhig had alluded to this in an interview last week, admitting he did not know when an assistant coach would be appointed, or who it would be.
Fellow 2012 Championship winner Mikele Leigertwood and new Head of Goalkeeping Robert Shay remain on Hunt's tight-knit coaching staff.
Gibbs, who was in his third stint at Reading, moved to West Brom alongside Ryan Mason last month.