Salako backs Di Canio for Reading job

Brian McDermott departed as manager on Monday with the Royals languishing in 19th place in the Barclays Premier League after a run of four straight league defeats.

The poor run of form leaves Reading four points adrift from safety and Russian owner Anton Zingarevich has made the decision that a new man at the helm will give the Berkshire club a better chance of securing top-flight survival.

Reading are yet to speak to any prospective candidates as they look to appoint a new manager, according to the latest reports. 

Academy manager Eamonn Dolan is in temporary charge of the first team but former Swindon boss Di Canio, who left Swindon last month, remains the bookmakers' favourite to succeed McDermott and Salako feels he could do be a decent appointment by Russian owner Anton Zingarevich.

"This might be the perfect moment for Paolo Di Canio," Salako told talkSPORT.

"He has fallen out with the Swindon guys, he's walked away, he's in-between jobs and he might be the perfect answer.

"He could come in on an interim basis, they could say to him, 'let's see how it goes until the summer. Show us what you can do'.

"He would go and fire up that dressing room, grab people by the neck, throw cups of tea around and not let people slack off."

Di Canio was present at Reading's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, which proved to be McDermott's last game in charge, leading to strong suggestions that the ex-West Ham forward will be Zingarevich's preferred choice.

But there are also suggestions that former Chelsea manager Di Matteo could be in line to return to the Premier League.

The 42-year-old led the Blues to Champions League success last season before being sacked in November and ambitious billionaire Zingarevich could see the ex-West Brom head coach as an ideal replacement.

PSV Eindhoven coach Dick Advocaat, former West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley and Nigel Adkins, who was sacked as manager of Southampton in January, have also been touted as potential replacements.

Meanwhile members of the Reading squad continue to thank McDermott, who was named Barclays Manager of the Month in January, for what he achieved at the club.

Midfielder Jem Karacan Tweeted: "Played a big part in my career since I was 15. Been brilliant for the club taking us to Wembley and then winning the league last season. Wish him nothing but success for the future."

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who is set to lead his side out in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn on Wednesday evening, has offered his support to McDermott.

"You can't be surprised, we all know that goes with the territory now," he said.

"I don't know the ins and outs of it but I do know he's done fantastically well for the club, in lots of roles over many years.

"Promotion last year was fantastic - they won 15 of their last 17 games - and they are not down and out yet.

"He should hold his head up high in terms of what he's done for the club."

McDermott had fulfilled several roles at the Madejski Stadium since joining the club as chief scout in 2000 but paid the price for a run of results that sees only QPR below them in the table by virtue of goals scored.