Sousa Speaks Again...More Tributes to Mike Keen (RIP)....Lee Cook on Ainsworth

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- QPR Youth Success in Sardinia Tournament


SKY SPORT - Sousa has English options
Ex-Rangers boss could stay in England after dismissal
- Former Queens Park Rangers manager Paulo Sousa has revealed he may still be working in England next season.
- Sousa's time at Loftus Road was cut short last week after he was sacked less than six months into a two-and-a-half year contract with the Championship outfit.
- The 38-year-old was dismissed for what QPR described as the divulging of 'highly confidential and sensitive information' with regards Dexter Blackstock's loan move to Nottingham Forest.
- English options
Despite Sousa's perceived failure regarding his stint with the ambitious West London club, the former Portugal international says he has options to continue working in England.
- "Like I've always said I'm a positive person and manager," he told Sky Sports News. "It's always important in life to take one day at a time.
- "I think next season I'll be a manager not a coach. I've got a lot of possibilities to remain in England." Skysport


- Lee Cook on QPR Post-Sousa
- The London Paper/James Andrews- QPR News: Midfielder Lee Cook says Gareth Ainsworth is doing a great job at Loftus Road
- Lee Cook does not expect Gareth Ainsworth (pictured) to get the QPR job full-time QPR midfielder, Lee Cook praised Gareth Ainsworth following QPR’s comeback against Sheffield Wednesday – but does not expect him to get the manager’s job full time.
- Rangers were 2-0 down on 55minutes. But goals from Rowan Vine, Gavin Mahon and Damion Stewart capped a brilliant comeback for the west Londoners.
- Ainsworth took the manager’s job on a temporary basis for the second time this season after Paulo Sousa was sacked last week.
- And Cook said: "Gareth is a top man and all the players have a lot of respect for him. But I don’t think he will get the job – I am pretty sure of that.
- "Nothing has been said about who will be the next manager, all we have been told is Gareth is in charge for the rest of the season and to play our hearts out for the club. I think the aim is to get a new manager before pre-season starts. I’m sure everything will be settled by then.
-"The club has changed two managers in quick succession, but if the results aren’t good then the next guy might not last long. It is a results business." The London Paper


EVENING STANDARD/ Standard/Jon West - Lee Cook reckons only promotion will do
- QPR winger Lee Cook reckons Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone will continue to hire and fire managers until they reach the Premier League
- The motor racing moguls have seen the back of John Gregory, Luigi de Canio, Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa in just 18 months - and with Dennis Wise now tipped for the hot-seat Cook reckons only promotion will do.
- He said: "The club has changed two managers in quick succession but if he's not getting results he might not last long either."
- Gareth Ainsworth was in temporary charge as Rangers come back from 2-0 down to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 yesterday. Standard


MIKE KEEN - RIP

See Also QPR Report Eulogy/Video/Photos

- From Rodney Marsh's blog "Mike Keen , QPR captain is brown bread. Sad ! Hope to get to his funeral to pay my respects..." http://www.rodneysblog.net/


PFA Professional Footballers Association Former Spurs and QPR stars sadly passed away this week PFA pays tribute to Jimmy Neighbour and Mike Keen By Ian Nannestad April 14, 2009

"Flying winger Jimmy was a popular figure at Norwich too. (©PAphotos) Gordon TaylorThe PFA send their condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of both Jimmy and Mike at this sad time Two of the stars of football in the 1960s and 1970s, Jimmy Neighbour and Mike Keen, passed away over the Easter period....

Mike Keen was born in High Wycombe on 19 March 1940, signing professional forms for Queen’s Park Rangers shortly after reaching the age of 18. He made his senior debut at York in September 1959 and by the end of the season he had firmly established himself at right half in the Rangers’ line-up.

Tall and stylish, he was a model of consistency and did not miss a first-team game between March 1962 and September 1968, a remarkable run of 286 competitive matches. After being appointed club captain he led the club to the Third Division title in 1966-67, Rangers finishing 12 points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough, and one of the great shocks of modern times, when they defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2 to win the first-ever Football League Cup final to be played at Wembley.
The following season he took Rangers into the First Division for the first time in their history, but in January 1969 he moved on to Luton, linking once more with his former manager Alec Stock. He gained further success at Kenilworth Road, assisting the Hatters to promotion to the old Second Division in 1969-70 and then had a spell at Watford where he was also manager from June 1973 to April 1977.

Mike later had a spell as manager of Northampton Town from 1978 to 1979. His son Kevin also enjoyed a successful career in the game and is on the coaching staff at West Ham.

Mike passed away on the evening of Saturday 11 April after a short illness. PFA


Luton Official Site - Mike Keen
Everyone at Kenilworth Road has been saddened to learn of the recent death of former skipper Mike Keen at the age of 69 after a short illness.
Born in High Wycombe, Mike joined QPR from school and had made over 400 first team appearances in midfield for the West London side before following his old manager Alec Stock to Kenilworth Road in January 1969 for £18,500.

After a patchy start, Mike went on to become ever present for three seasons during one of the brighter periods in the Town's history and, although not always appreciated by the Kenilworth Road faithful, it can now be seen that he possessed a sharp football brain and was always a couple of moves ahead of his team mates. After skippering the Hatters to the old Division Two in 1970, Mike came into his own amongst better players and was a provider of many of Malcolm Macdonald's goals, with astute forward passes meat and drink for the burly striker.

Mike later played for and managed Watford before taking over the hot seat at Northampton, Wycombe and Marlow Town. After retiring from the game, Mike concentrated his efforts on his successful sports shop in Wycombe.

Mike was a welcome guest of the club in 2005 for the Kenilworth Road centenary celebrations"


BUCKS FREE PRESS/James Nadal - Former Wanderers boss Mike Keen,69, dies

FORMER Wanderers' boss Mike Keen has died aged 69 after a short illness.

Born and bred High Wycombe man Mike, who managed the club from 1980 to 1984, led the blues to an Isthmian League title and an appearance in the semi-finals of the F.A. Trophy.

He gave a debut to the youngest every Wycombe player - his own son Kevin - who became the when he played against Hendon at the age of 15.

He went on to play for Stoke City and West Ham United, where he now coaches.

During his playing career, Mike captained Q.P.R to their 1971 League Cup triumph and the old Third Division title in the mid-1960's, going on to play for Watford and Luton.

After hanging up his boots he made a return to his home town to set up a successful sports shop in Wycombe, before later becoming Wanderers manager.

Wanderers head of media Alan Parry told the club's website: “Mike will always have a special place in the history of our great club and although he didn't get down to Adams Park very often, he always followed our results.

“He would have loved to have seen us get promoted this season so let's make sure that we do it for him.”

Leave your tributes below. Bucks Free Press