READING boss Steve Clarke performed an incredible U-turn on the eve of his side’s game against Wanderers, electing to turn down a job offer at Fulham.

The Royals boss held talks with the managerless Craven Cottage club and looked to be on the verge of quitting his current post, which he has held for 11 months.

But the 52-year-old revealed yesterday that having held talks with Fulham he has now decided to stay put.

The fact he has entertained a move to a Championship rival, currently four places below Reading in the table, has angered many fans at the Madejski Stadium. And Wanderers will hope that it could destabilise this afternoon’s opponents.

“It's been a strange week but I know I've made the right decision,” Clarke said. “I just want to get back on with the work we're doing here at Reading.

Clarke led Reading to the FA Cup semi-final last season and took the club as high as second this time around, albeit there has been a dip in form of late.

He says that after meeting with Fulham he quickly made up his mind that his future lay with Reading.

“It wasn't close,” he continued. “I got permission from Reading to speak to Fulham, we had a chat, I came back in here the next day and I was out there on the training pitch working towards the weekend.

“I'm a professional and someone's prepared to pay a certain amount of money to speak to me about a possible job, it's something that, as a professional, I've got to look at.”

It has been claimed that Fulham struck a compensation deal with Reading earlier this week, with the club also cancelling the Scot’s press conference on Thursday.

A day later, Clarke was answering tough questions on whether he should have spoken to Fulham at all – and asked what he reaction he was expecting this afternoon, he added: “It won’t have a detrimental effect. The players want me here and we have a good relationship.

“In my mind and theirs we’re focused on getting back to winning ways.

“The fans reaction - you want to be liked. I’ve had good support from the fans, since I’ve made the decision to stay they are happy. Hopefully among the anger they can realise I’ve made a decision to stay and get to the Premier League. That’s what everyone wants.”