Next QPR manager: Five bosses who could get Hoops promoted
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | November 6, 2015
Who will succeed Ramsey in Loftus Road dugout?
Following QPR’s decision to sack head coach Chris Ramsey after 15 games of the Championship season, caretaker and old Hoops boss Neil Warnock is a 5/2 chance with Coral to be given the reins again permanently.
While nobody can take away the three promotions from second-tier level that Warnock has on his CV, he turns 67 before this year is out and only returned to Loftus Road with the intention of taking up an advisory role in the background.
QPR hope to announce their next permanent manager during the international break, so who else is in contention for this job? Here are five candidates that could help the Hoops go straight back up into the Premier League…
Tim Sherwood
Recently axed by Aston Villa, Sherwood has a strong relationship with QPR director of football Les Ferdinand, and is thus an early but narrow 2/1 favourite to take over.
Strongly linked with the previous vacancy at this club when Harry Redknapp stood down, taking on a Championship team like the Hoops may be his only way back into management following spells at Spurs and Villa Park.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
What second-tier vacancy hasn’t Hasselbaink been linked with recently? Rumoured to have resisted overtures from former club Charlton Athletic, who are struggling in the relegation dogfight, the Burton Albion boss might find this opportunity more alluring.
The Brewers are flying high, jointly leading League One alongside Walsall after 16 games, but a club like QPR with greater resources could persuade Hasselbaink to move, and he’s a 5/2 chance to head to the Hoops.
Nigel Pearson
Former Leicester City manager Pearson has proven his credentials in this division following sterling work at Hull City and with the Foxes across two spells. Sacked from the East Midlands outfit this summer, probably for non-footballing reasons, would this job appeal?
Pearson, at 9/2 to be next QPR boss, would be a fascinating appointment. He’s worked for foreign owners in previous roles and risen to most of the challenges expected of him.
Gareth Ainsworth
The sentimental thing to do would be for the Hoops hierarchy to appoint a manager that knows the club well. Wycombe Wanderers boss Ainsworth certainly does, and such a move would placate fans.
He had five full seasons in QPR’s first-team and was twice caretaker before joining the Chairboys in 2009. Ainsworth, 8/1 to make a Loftus Road return, now has three years of coaching experience under his belt – including a promotion from League Two.
Ian Holloway
Stability is not something the Hoops have had since Holloway spent nearly five years at the helm (2001-06), during which time he got them into the Championship. A total of 10 permanent appointments have followed him in West London.
Getting Blackpool and Crystal Palace promoted to the Premier League since leaving QPR rank as impressive achievements, so is the time now right for 16/1 shot Holloway to come back?
Related
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