Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp linked with Reading after Steve Clarke sacking

Arsenal legend is reportedly top of the Royals' list to replace Steve Clarke at the Madejski Stadium

Dennis Bergkamp, right, has been linked with Championship outfit Reading (Getty)

Championship club Reading are reportedly considering a move to appoint Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp after sacking Steve Clarke.

The Royals are just one point adrift of the play-offs but they have won just once in eight matches following the 1-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers this week. It has been speculated that Clarke’s flirtation with the vacant post at Fulham ultimately led to the 52-year-old's dismissal rather than first-team results.

A statement from the club read: "The board of Reading Football Club have this morning relieved manager Steve Clarke of his duties.

"Following Thursday night’s defeat at home to QPR, added to a recent run of poor form which has seen the team pick up just one win in the last eight Sky Bet Championship fixtures, the board feel that a change in manager is now necessary.

"The club met with Steve in person earlier today and we would like to place on permanent record our thanks to him for his hard work and diligence since his appointment in December 2014."

Steve Clarke has been sacked by Reading (Getty Images)

Nigel Pearson, the former Leicester City manager, remains the bookies favourite while Brian McDermott, who only left the Madejski Stadium in 2013, and Bradford boss Phil Parkinson are also in the running.

However, according to reports in the media, including the Daily Mirror, Reading are confident of luring Bergkamp after sounding him out 12 months ago before appointing Clarke to replace Nigel Adkins.

The former Netherlands striker, who made 315 appearances for the Gunners, worked with the B-team in the national set-up before being promoted to assistant manager of former club Ajax in 2011.

Pearson, meanwhile, has been out of a job since being sacked by Leicester in June despite masterminding one of the greatest escapes from relegation in Premier League history.

The 52-year-old is known to be keen on returning to management but considers himself worthy of a position in the top flight and is prepared to wait for the right opportunity.