Bryn Gunn-ing for a new deal

A key component of every successful club ever is a cool, calm Nordic European in their ranks to pass on to their teammates some of their stereotyped powers of being ice-cool. Solskjaer at United, Molby at Liverpool, Henrik Larsson at Celtic… there are probably others.

Reading’s answer to the need for this crucial requirement in any success story has been Brynjar Gunnarsson this season, following in the footsteps of fellow Icelandics Ivar Ingimarsson and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Indeed, Gunnarsson has played this role for Reading often as he is the sole remaining outfield player at the club who was present when they last won the Championship title back in 2006.

Despite only playing four times for the Championship champions this season (often as a substitute), the veteran centre midfielder/right back/ centre half/ right winger/ wherever he’s asked to play pretty much wants to stay at the club for another season.

The 36-year-old is out of contract in the summer which has prompted speculation of a move back to his homeland but the Boris Becker lookalike insists he would like to stay in Berkshire for another year to savour the club’s return to the Premier League.

Yahoo Sport reports that the Icelandic told the Reading Post; “It would be fantastic to stay here, if that becomes a possibility then I would definitely consider that. If not, then I'll take a few weeks out and see where things go. You always want to play, whether it's in the Premier League or not. As this season progressed I enjoyed it in a different way. I wasn't playing much but was still involved indirectly and I enjoyed it.”

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