Paul Ince has shed light on his future as his contract as Reading's interim manager nears its expiry.
The former England captain was a surprise choice after the Royals ditched previous boss Veljko Paunović back in February. Despite it being his first managerial role in eight years, Ince has successfully steered Reading away from Championship danger with games to spare.
The club were sucked into a relegation fight this season after poor form and a six-point deduction handed down for breaching profit and sustainability rules. But three wins in their last seven games have ensured they cannot be caught by the teams in the bottom three.
Speaking about his future at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Ince said he would like assurances from the club's owners before committing to anything. He also pointed to the example of his old club Manchester United and their struggles given a clear lack of long-term thinking since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.
Ince said: "I'm happy to sit down with the owner and have a conversation. You have to have a project. This club needs to change in a lot of places, it really does.
"I've seen that in the past two months. We've got to be willing to change as a club. We've got to get that message out to the fans. In the past four or five weeks there was a togetherness about the players and fans.
"We're closing that separation between them. Looking at the Sheffield United and Swansea games, there was a togetherness and it's important we have that, but I can also understand their frustration at what's going on and where the club is going. Everything has to be long-term. You can't fix anything short-term. Manchester United have been trying to do that for 10 years since Ferguson left and look where they are now.
"As long as we have a project, and we know where we are going and the fans know where we are going, then we can stick together. At the moment it's up in the air. I will need to sit down with the owner, see how we're going to take this club forward - or if we're going to take the club forward."
Reading take on West Brom on Saturday in their penultimate game of the season, with the Royals down to the bare bones due to a glut of injuries. Ince hopes to sort out his future, as well as those of a number of players, as soon as possible.
He added: "I'm hoping the meeting will be next week. I've got to make decisions. I know which out of contract players I want to stay if I am in charge and what players I want to bring in. We need to know where we are. We need to get things in place and have an identity, and get the message out to the fans about what the plan is for the next three or four years."
