Paul Ince snaps at reporter’s “pathetic question” after Reading lose at Hull

Despite a 3-0 loss at Hull, Ince’s side will definitely be playing in the second tier next season following Peterborough’s defeat to Nottingham Forest which confirmed Posh’s relegation

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Sir Alex Ferguson calls Paul Ince a ‘big time Charlie’ in classic clip

Reading have secured their place in the Championship for next season despite losing 3-0 to Hull City on Saturday.

Peterborough United’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest confirmed Posh’s relegation, with Barnsley and Derby County’s fates already having been confirmed in the past week.

Despite it being a case of job done for Ince, who was brought in in February to replace the axed Veljko Paunovic, Reading supporters saw their side ultimately put to the sword today by a team who started the day on 47 points – the same amount the Royals had taken on merit, minus their six-point deduction for breaking EFL financial regulations.

A brace from Keane Lewis-Potter sandwiched a goal from Alfie Jones in a convincing win for the Tigers, moving them on to 50 points.

As for Ince, he gave a fiery response when reporters questioned him whether the manner of the result tainted their survival being confirmed. “I don’t get that question,” Ince said to local media. “It’s actually a pathetic question. This is the problem about some of you guys – all you worry about is results.

“I’ve had this question so many times – we’re not disappointed. The common goal was to stay in the Championship and we’ve done that. You can’t win every game so I hate to see the word disappointment. I’m not disappointed. Why am I disappointed?

“Two months ago this club was going down. But these players and fans have managed to keep them up. That’s the common goal – not losing to Hull – a game we dominated in the first half and had enough chances in the second. I don’t want people to talk about disappointment – it baffles me.

“It’s a positive time for the club and for the fans, and staff who you don’t see who work their socks off. Half of the people lose their jobs if the club gets relegated into League One. They get made redundant but you don’t see that because you come here every week under no pressure.

“I don’t want disappointment as a word or for that to be associated with Reading FC today. We can’t win every game but the fans will go home happy, knowing Reading are staying in the Championship. There won’t be any disappointment on their faces. I don’t want any negative vibes.”

Ince’s appointment by Reading raised plenty of eyebrows, given it was his first managerial role in eight years. The former England captain had not managed a side since leaving Blackpool in 2014. Nevertheless, he has guided the side to four wins in his 12 games with recent victories over Stoke and Sheffield United proving pivotal. Ince’s future is uncertain with his contract poised to expire at the end of the season.

When quizzed on that matter after today’s developments the 54-year-old said: “This coming week is about me having a few days off, seeing my wife and kids and playing a bit of golf which I’ve not done in a couple of months.

“Nothing will be addressed until we get back from Luton (final game). It’s just nice the players can go home now and breathe, knowing they will be in the Championship next year.”