Reading striker Jason Roberts paid tribute to Brian McDermott after the club parted company with their manager.
The Royals have lost four successive Barclays Premier League games and sit 19th in the table, with only goals scored keeping them off the bottom. McDermott, 51, took over as caretaker manager at the Madejski Stadium in 2009 before being named full-time boss the following year.
Roberts, who expects to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury, believes McDermott will make a quick return to the game. He told Sky Sports News: "He's a football man and a good man and I just think at this moment in time we take stock of what he has achieved and place on record our thanks."
McDermott guided Reading back to the top flight last season for only the second time in their history but has been relieved of his duties following a poor run of form. However, Roberts added: "I as an individual player and I'm sure the others would like to place on record their thanks for what he and his (backroom) team have achieved for us."
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio, Mark Hughes - ex-QPR manager - and former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley have all been linked with the role as has Nigel Adkins, who was sacked by Southampton earlier this season.
Roberts would not be drawn on who he would welcome to the Madejski Stadium, saying: "It's not a decision we are party to. All we can do is concentrate on what we do on the pitch and on the training ground and do our best for Reading - I don't think anyone would say anything different.
"What we need to do is make sure we leave Reading in a good position, I think Brian McDermott has done that and I think we owe it to the club and owe it to Brian as much as anyone - to the owners, the fans and to ourselves to do the best we can and that will never change.
"What we need to do is work hard and try and keep Reading in the Premier League because that is the goal.
"I think even Brian McDermott would say the same thing, no matter what happens - whether you are in the team or not in the team, whoever is managing the team - we're here to perform for Reading Football Club and try to keep us in this league.
"It's frustrating from my point of view to not be able to be out there on the pitch helping the boys but I know they are as committed as they can be and will be in the future as well."
Source: PA
