"Flashback" - QPR's Last Big Managerial Search

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QPR last big public managerial search was back in February 2001 when Gerry Francis announced he was stepping down (even as he continued to manage the team till a replacement was found). (When Holloway was axed, Waddock was instantly installed as Acting Manager even though the official appointment wasn't made for several months (and within days of Holloway's sacking, Paladini said he'd received at least 100 applications for Holloway's job). And to replace Waddock, Paladini already had John Gregory ready to step in.

To replace Gerry Francis, among those publicly considered as successor: Acting Manager Ian Dowie, Dave Bassett, Steve Coppell, Laurie Sanchez, Steve Bruce, Paul Jewell and Ian Holloway. Back then, a number of managers weren't interested in taking over a QPR with its resources (although Dowie was very interested)

BBC, 21 February, 2001 - QPR suffer Bruce snub
Steve Bruce has pulled out of the running for the QPR job.
The former Huddersfield Town boss was linked with the post following Gerry Francis' decision to stand down.
Rangers had been expected to unveil a new manager before the weekend but it now seems likely that Francis will still be in charge for the game against Wimbledon.
A statement released on behalf of Bruce said: "Further to discussions with the board of QPR, Steve Bruce has decided against having any further active discussion regarding the managerial position at the club.
"The situation that Steve perceived as a long-term commitment seems to be clouded with uncertainty and Steve now understands that the club may be seeking a replacement only for the short term.
"On that basis Steve has decided to pull out but wishes to thank the board for their initial interest."
QPR have won twice - recording their first away win of the season against Gillingham on Tuesday - and have climbed out of the relegation zone since Francis announced his retirement from the game.
But the former England captain has made it clear that he has no intention of changing his mind despite the recent turnaround in the club's fortunes.
"I'm delighted with the six points we've gained in the last two games and obviously we are in a much better position now but my decision to go was never based on positions in the league," he said.
"I'm under no pressure from the board apart from the pressure to sign a new contract for next season but I've told them I don't want to do that. I want to retire and I'm not going to change my mind."
Former QPR midfielder Ian Holloway, recently sacked by Bristol Rovers, is thought to top the much-shortened candidate list. BBC

BBC - 20 February, 2001,- Jewell plays down QPR link
Bruce is favourite to take the helm
Paul Jewell has played down speculation linking him with the vacant manager's post at Queen's Park Rangers.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss said he won't be rushed into a return so soon after getting the sack at Hillsborough.
I have had a quick chat with an official connected with the club which lasted two minutes at the most and that is as far as its gone
Paul Jewell
"I want to get back into the game, but I'm not going to jump at the first job that comes along," he said.
"I've read that I've been interviewed about the QPR job - but it's quite funny really because I was in bed all day on Monday with cold - so that was quite interesting.
"I have had a quick chat with an official connected with the club which lasted two minutes at the most and that is as far as its gone.
"But you can never say never, if it's right for me and it's the right job I would be interested."
Steve Bruce, Ian Holloway and Iain Dowie are all in the frame for the job with the Londoners.
Bruce has emerged as the hot favourite after Dave Bassett ruled himself out of the running on Monday. BBC

Independent
Bassett pulls out of QPR job race
Published: 19 February 2001
Dave Bassett has revealed that he has withdrawn from the running for the vacant manager's job at Queens Park Rangers after holding talks with the club.

Dave Bassett has revealed that he has withdrawn from the running for the vacant manager's job at Queens Park Rangers after holding talks with the club.

The former Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Barnsley boss believes the move to Loftus Road would not be right for him.

It leaves the field open to a supposed short-list of Graham Rix, Iain Dowie, Steve Coppell, Steve Bruce and Ian Holloway to take up the post when Gerry Francis steps aside after tomorrow's game at Gillingham.
Whoever does succeed Francis will find a troubled club only just outside the First Division relegation zone, with financial problems and question marks over the future as owner Chris Wright is also stepping down.
Bassett told internet site planetfootball.com: "I met with the directors last Tuesday and had a convivial meeting.
"But the talks were inconclusive and I've thought about the decision since and decided to withdraw from the position..." Independent

BBC - Bassett snubs QPR job
Bassett does not want to succeed Gerry Francis
Dave Bassett, favourite to take over as QPR manager, has ruled himself out of the running.
It is believed Bassett was scared off by speculation concerning the club's finances.
The former Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Barnsley manager was widely tipped as being favourite to land the post vacated by Gerry Francis.
Marsh claims denied
Bassett's withdrawal leaves Iain Dowie, Steve Bruce, Roy McFarland and Ray Graydon, who are all also believed to be on Rangers' short-list, still in the running.
But Rangers have dismissed claims by former star Rodney Marsh that the club are £20m in debt.
Speaking to BBC Ceefax, a Loftus Road spokesman said: "The accounts are there and anybody can look at them.
"As a television pundit, Rodney Marsh is paid to say controversial things. We are not £20m in debt as the accounts show."
Meanwhile, Brentford owner Ron Noades is reported to be ready to sell the club, re-invest his money and take the reins at QPR.
The former Crystal Palace supremo is believed to by eyeing a return to the limelight, and could soon make QPR chief Chris Wright an offer for the Loftus Road club, according to the Daily Star.
Wright is willing to sell, after becoming a target for fans' abuse as the team battles against the threat of relegation. BBC

Mail - February 2001 - QPR line up Sanchez as new manager
Queens Park Rangers are considering the position of manager Gerry Francis.
Rangers are understood to have identified his possible successor, with Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez top of their wanted list.
Francis's team are one place off the bottom of the First Division and tonight face runaway leaders Fulham at Loftus Road in a match billed as "Gerry and the pacemakers".
A heavy defeat could mean that the game is the last in charge for Francis, who was a big favourite as a player at QPR and a huge success in a previous stint as manager there. He returned for a second spell in October 1998.
But the West London club, already struggling financially, are concerned that relegation into the Second Division would cripple them.
Rangers are one of only four clubs in the Football League without an away win this season. They have only four home wins.
With little money to bring in new players, Francis has had to juggle his resources carefully but the club are now believed to be ready for a change.
Francis, a successful businessman off the pitch, has often said he does not need the pressure of full-time football management and is likely to give serious consideration to any offer to step aside.
However, it is thought unlikely that Rangers will want to move him into another, more senior role and defeat this evening could well be the catalyst for his departure.
Sanchez is earning himself a reputation as one of the country's most promising young managers.
The former Wimbledon player, whose goal against Liverpool won the FA Cup for the Dons in 1988, has worked wonders at Wycombe since taking over from Terry Evans in February 1999.
He has also steered the club into the fifth round of the FA Cup this season. Mail


Independent - Feb 22, 2001- Rejection by Bruce adds to QPR misery
By Tommy Staniforth and Alan Nixon
Steve Bruce has become the third man this week to turn down the manager's job at First Division Queen's Park Rangers.
Bruce yesterday issued a statement saying he was not interested in a short-term contract with the club. He followed Dave Bassett and Wycombe Wanderers' Lawrie Sanchez in turning down the job.
"I have decided against having any further active discussion regarding the managerial position at the club," his statement read. "I understand QPR may be seeking a replacement only for the short term." The former Huddersfield coach held talks with the club over the weekend about replacing Gerry Francis, who announced his intention to leave Loftus Road last week.
In turning down QPR he leaves the club in limbo, with Francis still in charge until a replacement is found. A prime candidate to take over is Iain Dowie, who is assistant manager at Loftus Road, but his lack of coaching experience has prompted speculation that the former Arsenal coach Graham Rix and the ex-Bristol Rovers manager Ian Holloway may be in the running. Independent

BBC - 26 February, 2001 - QPR name Holloway as boss
Queens Park Rangers have named Ian Holloway as the new manager at Loftus Road.
Former QPR midfielder Holloway - sacked as Bristol Rovers boss last month - takes over from Gerry Francis who announced he was standing down 10 days ago.
I can't wait to take it on and I feel we can kick on from this
QPR boss Ian Holloway
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to take this challenge on and motivate some of these players.
"It was a huge part of my playing career and I felt so proud. Anybody that watched me play could see what I was - whole-hearted and determined.
"This is the biggest club I ever played for and what we achieved in those five years, I was delighted.
"I can't wait to take it on and I feel we can kick on from this."
Optimistic
Holloway has joined Rangers on a contract for the remainder of this season and the whole of next term with options for an extension.
He is optimistic that he can keep the struggling club in the First Division, but insists that it is not just down to him.
"The players have got to work hard and they'll get honesty and enthusiasm from me and hopefully that will rub off.
"We are fully realistic of where we are and what we've got to do."
The former Rovers boss takes charge of first-team affairs on Tuesday and will work alongside his former mentor Francis, who has become the club's director of football.
But Holloway's appointment - which Francis is widely reported to have supported - throws the future of Rangers' assistant manager Iain Dowie into doubt.
Dowie was desperate to take over but, having failed in his second bid to land the job, could be set to leave the club altogether especially if - as expected - Holloway brings in Gary Penrice as his assistant. BBC


Friday, 16 February, 2001- Francis ends QPR love affair
Francis: Ended his managerial love affair with QPR
BBC Sport Online's Peter Sanderson looks at Gerry Francis' career in management after his decision to stand down as director of football at QPR.
Gerry Francis is a member of that increasingly rare band of people who have enjoyed success at a club as both player and manager.
On Friday, however, the former Bristol Rovers and Tottenham boss cut a forlorn figure as he ended his managerial love affair with Queens Park Rangers and almost certainly severed his ties with football.
Apart from his most recent spell at QPR, Francis has an outstanding record in management.
However, at Loftus Road this year, the tide was so strongly against him that even sailing sensation Ellen MacArthur could not have steered the club to safety.
I will do everything I can to help the new manager
Gerry Francis
The secret to his success has been a combination of talent, honesty, endeavour and an unrivalled desire to succeed.
But even a man as diligent as Francis deserves a break.
He admitted: "In football, I have only had one break since 1967 which is a hell of a long time.
"I did not miss the game in the 11 months I had away from football after I left Spurs and I don't think I will when I move on at the end of the season.
"My job at QPR was to keep them in this Division last year and I did that despite us being nine points adrift.
"I then let my heart rule my head and decided to stay on as manager this year.
Francis: "QPR can stay up"
"But the club is now experiencing major problems with a number of players contracts coming to a close in the summer and very little cash to bring anyone in.
"It is time for someone else to take over. They need time to turn things round and I need time to spend with my family and of course with the pigeons."
Few would believe this was the same man who twice turned down the opportunity to manage his country.
Both times he was interviewed for the England he ruled himself out of consideration.
But England could have done a lot worse - and, once or twice in recent years, have done.
Now Francis can devote his time to his family and enjoy the peace and quiet of his pigeon loft.
The reason for his departure is simple. He is a family man and his recent spell with QPR was more of an effort to help out an old friend than improve his already dazzling reputation in management.
But it was clear from the pained expression on Francis' face that he has had enough football for one lifetime.
As he spoke of the troubled times the club are experiencing, he was speaking from his heart as a fan and not a manager.
Francis was arguably a victim of his own managerial success.
Needed more than a miracle
The former England midfielder always possessed an unwavering confidence in his own ability.
However, he built up such an impressive CV at Bristol Rovers and QPR that he could no longer continue to perform the miracles.
But QPR needed more than a miracle to save them this time.
Their troubles far exceed their lowly position at the foot of Division One.
Behind the scenes the club are in disarray.
Their over-achievements in the 1990s, when they finished fifth in the Premiership and enjoyed as spell as London's top club, make their current position even harder to tolerate.
Young bargains
But Francis insists the club can still survive.
Since he returned in October 1998, he has made a number of strong signings for QPR, scouring the non-league for Jermaine Darlington and Stuart Wardley.
He has also picked up young bargains like Clarke Carlisle and Peter Crouch and groomed Richard Langley and Mark Perry into tremendous players.
These are the players that Francis believes should keep QPR in the First Division and more importantly, keep the club in business.
BBC