The Imps League One rivals Reading have appointed experienced coach Rob Kelly as assistant manager, reuniting him with new Royals boss Leam Richardson.
Kelly arrives from Barrow after a short spell on the League Two club’s staff, and links back up with Richardson following their title-winning partnership at Wigan Athletic in 2021–22.
The appointment
Reading confirmed Kelly, 60, as first-team assistant on Monday, shortly after Richardson’s own arrival at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The pair worked together at Wigan, where they won League One in 2022. Kelly’s coaching career spans more than three decades, including time in charge of Leicester City and roles with Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion.
“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to have the opportunity to come back to Barrow for a second time to help the club,” Kelly said. “It’s with a heavy heart that I am once again leaving the football club for another challenge elsewhere.”
Context for the division
Richardson was appointed last week with Reading sitting nineteenth in League One. His first match ended in a three-two FA Cup defeat to Carlisle United, a tie in which the Royals led two-nil before conceding twice in stoppage time and again in extra time. Kelly’s arrival adds familiarity and stability to the new regime as Reading try to pull clear of danger and reset under a staff that has previously delivered success at this level.
What it means for the Imps
From a City perspective, Reading’s staff reshuffle strengthens a direct rival in the lower half of the table. The Royals now have a proven League One coaching axis that has navigated promotion pressure before.
The immediate focus will be defensive resilience and game management after recent late concessions, areas where Kelly’s experience should be valuable.