Noel Hunt says he felt “emotional” ahead of his first game in charge of Reading.
The former Ireland international was parachuted into the hotseat ahead of last weekend’s scoreless draw with Burnley.
And he will take charge again tomorrow night against Luton Town, with the club third from bottom in the Championship, behind Cardiff City on goal-difference.
Club legend Hunt, who made almost 150 appearances for Reading, was appointed as caretaker boss in the wake of Paul Ince’s departure.
He said: “I think the week I'd had before the game was more of a change in heart rate for me. Once I was on the touchline on Saturday, I was okay.
“But before the game, when I walked out onto the pitch, it was the first time it sunk in what I was doing. I got quite emotional out there, when I didn’t think I would.
“I walked out onto the pitch while the stadium was completely empty, just for a quiet moment to take in the surroundings.
“Everyone I have spoken to has told me to take a moment to take it in.
“And when I walked out there, it was the first time it dawned on me - ‘Jesus, I’m actually managing this team. This is it’.
“It was a proud moment. I saw things I hadn’t seen before, the ‘Coppell’s Corner’ banner, Sir John Madejski up there… and obviously I looked up at the Eamonn Dolan Stand.
“I just felt so proud. It was overwhelming. And it gave me that little adrenaline rush, to get me going. I didn’t expect that to be honest.”
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