Reading manager Noel Hunt stressed the need for talks with prospective new owner Rob Couhig after seeing their hopes of a League One play-off place ended.
The Royals had needed to better the result of Leyton Orient to pinch sixth place but went down 4-2 at home to Barnsley as Orient triumphed 4-1 win at Huddersfield.
After a goalless first half, goals from Stephen Humphrys and Jon Russell gave Barnsley a 2-0 lead, only for Lewis Wing to reduce the deficit.
A brace from top-scorer David Keillor-Dunn put Barnsley well clear and Reading’s late goal from substitute Billy Bodin was just a consolation.
Earlier in the day the club announced American businessman Couhig, the former owner of Wycombe, was due to complete his takeover next week.
“We have to have conversations,” Hunt said. “Rob was here today and he said how happy he is and how proud he is of the job we’ve done.
“It’s great news, it really is. It’s really positive. It’s a 100 per cent step in the right direction.”
Reading finished the season in seventh place.
“On the pitch today, it just didn’t happen,” Hunt said.
“Barnsley had enough of the play and I thought they were able to play with a bit of freedom.
“As the game wore on, we sort of fizzled out. But I can’t fault the lads over the season, they’ve given me everything.
“Yes, I do feel a little scrambled. I’m obviously disappointed that we lost the game, although, in hindsight, it didn’t really matter.
“But I have to go back over the last six months, not just today.
“How the boys have rallied and stuck together through all the adversity and grown. You’ve got to be so proud of them.”
Barnsley finished in 12th place.
“We were brilliant, I thought that we were really good today,” head coach Conor Hourihane said.
“We had to come here, the atmosphere was up (for Reading) with their takeover announcement this morning.
“We said at half-time that we just needed to be a little more calm and pick the right passes around the final third. I thought that we would get really good opportunities.
“It’s brilliant to finish off the season on a positive note.
“In the second half, we just had to tweak a few things in terms of when we were out of possession.
“When we upped that in the second half and got it right, you’re going to score goals.
“We have to take all that into the summer and try to build some momentum.
“We all know that there is a lot of work to do and that we need to crank up the mentality and the work rate over the summer.
“Hopefully, today can be a little glimpse in how we move forward.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
