QPR Double Act Continues - "De Canio and Paladini defy predictions of their demise "

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Dave McIntyre - BBC QPR double act continues

Luigi De Canio will continue to rely heavily on chairman Gianni Paladini as QPR attempt to build a promotion-winning squad.

Italian De Canio is preparing for his first full season in English football having been installed as first-team coach last October.

And Paladini, who presided over the signings of nine players during the January transfer window, is set to keep what is effectively a director of football role at Loftus Road.

"I am not in a position to know everything there is to know about English players but that is not a problem when you work with someone with the expertise of Gianni Paladini," insisted De Canio.

"It would be presumptuous of me to come here and believe I can do everything, especially when there is someone here in Gianni Paladini with over 40 years of experience in English football."

That experience came largely as a representative for a number of high-profile players, including Benito Carbone and Fabrizio Ravanelli, before the Naples-born Paladini joined QPR's board in 2004.

Paladini became club chairman the following year after winning a battle for control of the west London club and he retained that title following last year's takeover by a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

Many expected Paladini to be axed, or at least sidelined, by the new regime.

But an initial restructuring of the club did not go entirely to plan and Franco Ceravolo, formerly of Juventus, left only three months after being handed the job of chief scout.

That left Paladini in charge of Rangers' recruitment and transfer dealings as they looked to pull away from the relegation zone.

He sealed the signings of Rowan Vine and Hogan Ephraim, who had been on loan with QPR prior to De Canio's arrival.

Rangers' financial muscle also enabled them to sign defender Matthew Connolly - who had been targeted by several clubs when on loan at Colchester from Arsenal - and seize an opportunity to sign Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky from Plymouth.

Paladini then signed defenders Fitz Hall and Damien Delaney as well as striker Patrick Agyemang, while Gavin Mahon and Kieran Lee were brought in on loan from Watford and Manchester United respectively.

The new arrivals all played a part in turning QPR's season around and Paladini has therefore been left to oversee further rebuilding of the squad during the summer.

"The way it works is that if I or any of my staff know of a player, we tell Gianni and if he knows of a player, he can suggest them to us," explained De Canio.

"It is also about telling Gianni about the type of player I think we need and then seeing what we can come up with. We work as a team."

It is common in parts of Europe for a coach not to have a major role in transfers.

But De Canio knows that English fans associate new signings with their team's manager, meaning he will be judged by how Rangers fare in the transfer market, regardless of his job description.

"I understand that people will judge me by the signings. That is part of being a manager," conceded the former Napoli, Udinese, Genoa and Siena boss.

"It has always been that way. If a player is signed and does well, he's a great player. If he doesn't do well, it's the manager's fault."

And Paladini accepts he will need to continue improving the squad in order to satisfy the club's ambitious owners.

Paladini said: "We have to get it right again this summer - I know that.

"I work closely with 'Gigi' and I love doing that. We brought some good players here in January and we have to do it again.

"It's a very important summer for the club and we must get the right players. We will be judged on that."

Rangers expect to seal the signings of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny and Newcastle defender Peter Ramage on Bosman free transfers.

They are also desperate to re-sign former Hoops winger Lee Cook following his injury-plagued year at neighbours Fulham.

Numerous other possible targets have been discussed, with a striker high on their list of priorities.

Few managers will start the new season under as much pressure as De Canio, whose team are expected to be among the promotion challengers.

Speculation about his future has already been rife, with a variety of big names linked with the Rangers hot-seat.

But having come through a spell last season when his position was under review, a marked improvement has given De Canio some job security - for the time being at least.

He also has dismissed suggestions he is unhappy in London and may seek a return to Italy.

"I really have no idea where that speculation comes from," he stated.

"There was one occasion, when I missed a game after my father died and I had to return to Italy and it was suggested I might be leaving.

"That was never my intention. I'm happy here and am looking forward to next season."

He added: "I know there will be high expectations because we have high-profile owners but it has been stressed before, and I must stress it again, that QPR are not rich - the owners are.

"We are trying to do things the right way and build properly without simply spending money.

"There will be other strong teams in the Championship next season and those that come down from the Premiership will have money to spend and besides, money does not guarantee success.

"It is worth remembering that some teams spent a lot of money this season but finished near us in the table." BBC