Reading have today appointed Mark Bowen as their new manager, but who is the Welshman and what has he achieved in the game?

Bowen has proved to be a controversial choice as boss, following on from the sacking of the popular Jose Gomes, and has stepped into the role following his appointment as sporting director this summer.

Who is Mark Bowen?

Bowen, 55, began his playing days at Spurs, coming through the youth system there to make 17 appearances for the club.

Then came a nine-year stay at Norwich City, where he amassed 321 appearance for the club between 1987 and 1996, scoring 24 goals from his left-back spot.

A move to West Ham followed where he played 17 times before moving to Japan and representing Shimizu S Pulse, where he made seven appearance.

Bowen made a return to these shores when he signed for Charlton Athletic, playing 42 times for the Addicks before moving to Wigan then making a solitary apperances for the Royals in 1999.

The Neath-born Bowen also represented Wales 41 times, scoring three goals.

Bowen then made his move into coaching and was part of the Wales set-up for five years between 1999 and 2004, securing 12 wins in 41 games.

He was also involved with Birmingham during his time with Wales from 2001-2004, with 39 wins from 102 games on the coaching staff.

Bowen then made his move as Mark Hughes' assistant at Blackburn Rovers, with the two enjoying a win success rate of nearly 44 per cent over four years.

A big move to Manchester City then followed and the duo won 36 times in 77 games before Hughes was sacked.

Bowen then made the move to London, firstly assisting Hughes at Fulham and then QPR. Both spells were not successful, with Hughes losing his job at both clubs.

The came a period of 200 games at Stoke, where Hughes and Bowen rattled off four consecutive top half finishes in the Premier League over five years.

Bowen's last job as assistant was at Southampton, with only five wins in 27 games before Hughes was dismissed.

The Welshman now has a huge task on his hands with Reading and will be hoping to hit the ground running against Preston on Saturday.