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QPR overhaul signals beginning of Loftus Road revolution

| 28.05.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

QPR endured a tough time in the Premier League this season, eventually stumbling to an immediate relegation back to the Championship after haplessly finishing rock-bottom of the top-flight table.

Although, in what has been a swift development at Loftus Road, the club have rapidly began an overhaul before their second tier campaign, having wielded the axe on many ageing and high earning stars, while also sealing potent replacements.

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The London outfit showed a possible changing of their ways when opting to award Chris Ramsey with the manager’s job on a permanent basis, having been handed a three-year deal despite seeing his side drop down divisions (16/1 with Coral to win next season’s Championship).

Soon, Brian Murphy, Richard Dunne, Rio Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton and Bobby Zamora are set to be released when their contracts expire at the end of June this year, with the club confirming these imminent summer departures.

However, Clint Hill and, maybe surprisingly Alejandro Faurlin, have both been given new deals to remain at Loftus Road next season, while Karl Henry has until June 30 to exercise his contractual option for an extended campaign, and will likely do so.

As the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new, QPR quickly have followed that trend, as they also secured the signing of Swindon Town star Massimo Luongo as a new summer arrival.

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Australia international midfield anchor Luongo joined the Steelers from Tottenham in 2013, and was linked with a reunion with former Spurs coach Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa, but it’s Ramsey’s men who have acquired his talented services instead.

“I’m confident he will flourish at QPR,” stated Ramsey.

Although, previous contacts also run deep between current QPR coaching staff, club hierarchy and Luongo, with Ramsey and director of football Les Ferdinand having worked with the player at Spurs as well.

“Mas [Luongo] is a player I know a lot about having played a part in his development at Spurs,” continued Ramsey.

“As with any young player there are areas of his game that need improving, but knowing him as I do, I know he will embrace the learning curve of playing for us in the Championship.”

The 22-year-old was a star performer for his country as they lifted the Asian Cup earlier this calendar year and helped the club reach the League One play-off final where they were comprehensively outdone 4-0 by Preston. Swindon’s potential loss of such a key player evidently highlights the lasting effects of failing in the play-offs.

Following QPR’s sickening relegation from the top-flight (3/1 to be promoted), the West London outfit will look to balance continuity along with a welcomed change, with retained midfielder Henry representing a belief in some of the current crop, while Luongo’s high-profile arrival signalling a blooding of new faces at Loftus Road.

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Author

Lee Gormley

Lee joined the Coral team in 2014 after studying at Leeds Trinity University, having moved across the water from Ireland, and has plenty of industry experience from his time with various news outlets in both England and Northern Ireland. After graduating with a BA Honours degree in Sports Journalism, he has since become an important member of the talented sports desk, passionately covering boxing, football and snooker, among many other sports. Lee is also a massive Manchester United and Republic of Ireland fan, but curbs any bias during his work, and outside of his job can be found regularly taking part in sport himself, such as boxing, GAA and football.