We are delighted to welcome back Mark Bowen to Reading Football Club in the role of Head of Football Operations.
This multifaceted role will provide strategic leadership across our club's football-driven operations - our coaching values, the club’s player recruitment approach, the use of sports science, analysis and medical data whilst vitally integrating our Category One Academy programme into the club’s first team philosophy.
Having briefly spent time at Reading as a player, Bowen joined the club as Technical Consultant in 2019 - initially on a short-term basis to help the Royals retain Championship status. Success saw that role evolve into a Sporting Director position ahead of the 2019-20 campaign and in October 2019, with Reading positioned in the bottom three in the league, Bowen was invited to lead the team from the front as first-team manager. He would steer the side away from trouble and guide his team to a mid-table finish in the Championship table.
In returning to Reading as our Head of Football Operations, he brings with him a wealth of experience, both from his playing days and a coaching career spent primarily in the top tier of English football.
Chief Executive Dayong Pang said, "We have a very important summer in front of us as we look to plan and prepare for another challenge in the Championship in 2022-23 - so I am delighted that Mark has agreed to join us to help spearhead those preparations as Head of Football Operations.
“Owner Mr Dai and I recognise the considerable impact an appointment of this nature can make within the structure of the club and, as well as boasting a huge level of experience in football at the highest level, in Mark we have appointed an individual who possesses a very clear, strong understanding of Reading Football Club and the specific challenges we face.
“He will provide valuable guidance, a football-driven focus and consistency across our first team and Academy age groups which we are confident will help re-establish an identity across all the pitches at Bearwood Park and develop a footballing culture which will be defined by an aim to ensure our players achieve their maximum potential. I’m very much looking forward to working with Mark once more."
