New boss expected at QPR

Mark Hughes Hughes left Fulham in June after less than a year in charge

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes says he expects to appoint a new manager on Tuesday.

Mark Hughes is the favourite to replace Neil Warnock after holding talks with the London club on Monday. He said afterwards: “We have to discuss a number of things but it went well.”

Fernandes tweeted in response to a question: “Yes I am sure we will be announcing new QPR manager today.”

QPR lie 17th in the Premier League and are eight league games without a win.

QPR chief executive Philip Beard said on his arrival at Loftus Road on Tuesday: “[We are] cautiously optimistic that we can get things done today.

“We want to understand from Mark how he feels about getting involved with the owners and QPR.

“We hope [Hughes] has reflected on things overnight.”

The funny thing is that I do not actually think QPR are as bad as their results have suggested, but they have simply not been able to score enough goals despite bringing in Jay Bothroyd, DJ Campbell and Shaun Wright-Phillips

Mark Lawrenson’s verdict

Hughes, speaking outside Loftus Road after talks on Monday, said: “There’s a lot more to discuss and we’ll wait until the morning.

“We’re still discussing the ideas the club have. I’m pleased with how it’s gone but nothing is confirmed yet.

“I’ve got to think very carefully about what’s been said today.

“I’m an ambitious manager and hopefully the next club I’m at can match those ambitions.”

  • 2010-12: Neil Warnock
  • 2010: Mick Harford (caretaker)
  • 2009-10: Paul Hart
  • 2009: Steve Gallen & Marc Bircham (caretakers)
  • 2009: Jim Magilton
  • 2009: Gareth Ainsworth (caretaker)
  • 2008-09: Paulo Sousa
  • 2008: Gareth Ainsworth (caretaker)
  • 2008: Iain Dowie
  • 2007-08: Luigi De Canio
  • 2007: Mick Harford (caretaker)
  • 2006-07: John Gregory
  • 2006: Gary Waddock (caretaker)
  • 2001-06: Ian Holloway
  • 1998-01: Gerry Francis

Fernandes said that they made the decision to sack Warnock in the hope that a change might preserve their top-flight status.

“Neil has done an incredible job for QPR, bringing the club back into the Premier League,” said Beard. “We want to remember what he achieved here but we want to move on. We think the time is right to make the change.

“We will be judged because it’s a results-orientated business. The results have not been good over the last few months. We are now in the infamous January transfer window and we want to do some business.

“We haven’t made this change lightly. What we really want is a period of stability.”

QPR made an encouraging start to the season, having been guided back to the top flight last year by Warnock, reaching ninth on 19 November.

But, without a win since then, QPR have slid down to 17th – just one point clear of the relegation zone – and needed a last-minute equaliser from Heidar Helguson to avoid an FA Cup third-round defeat by League One side MK Dons on Saturday.