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QPR and Beckham?
BBC - David Beckham: Harry Redknapp does not rule out QPR move
Harry Redknapp believes David Beckham could still play in the Premier League and has not ruled out trying to sign the former England captain for QPR.
Beckham, 37, is leaving Los Angeles Galaxy in December and has beenlinked with a move to the Hoops since Redknapp took over as manager on Saturday.
Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme: "I'm sure he could still play in the Premier League.
"I've not discussed it with the chairman so we'd have to look at that."
Redknapp tried to sign Beckham on loan in January 2011 when he was manager at Tottenham but the midfielder was only able to train with the north London club.
"He's a top fantastic player," continued Redknapp. "We had him training at Tottenham and it was amazing [to have him] round the place. He is absolute class.
"David could still be a great asset to anyone. Just having him round the place, showing people how to train and look after yourself. His professionalism is second to none."
Beckham announced last week that he was ending his six-year stay in Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy after the MLS Cup final on 1 December - he helped his side win the Cup in 2011.
In a statement, he said that he wanted to "experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career".
Australian side Melbourne Heart have claimed they are in talks with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan player.
Beckham, who won 115 England caps, a record number for an outfield player, has also been linked with moves to Paris St-Germain, Brazil, China, Russia and Qatar.
Redknapp was at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon to watch his new side open the scoring against Manchester United before going on to lose the game 3-1 and stay bottom of the Premier League with four points from 13 matches.
QPR are yet to win a league game this season and Redknapp is acutely aware of the challenge he is facing at Loftus Road.
"We've got to get cracking pretty quickly," he said, immediately before taking his first training session in west London on Sunday. "The target is [to finish the season] fourth from bottom.
"We've just got to get out of trouble. We've got to try and survive. Four points from 13 games makes it difficult but we've got to do it." BBC
PREMIER LEAGUE Press - Djibril Cissé wants QPR exit in January
Reports this evening from Manchester indicate that Djibril Cissé issued a 'let me leave' plea to QPR soon after the final whistle at Old Trafford.
Cissé has found it difficult to adapt to life at the Hoops since his move and the the sacking of Mark Hughes on Friday is believed to have made his mind up.
Cissé joined QPR in January of this year on a 2½ year deal worth approximately £60k per week, but has failed to find popularity with the home crowd.
Cissé, 31, was subject to a dressing down by QPR fans last week via his Twitter page when he was told by a supporter he “couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo” following his team’s 3-1 defeat against Southampton.
He arrived at QPR at the start of this year with Bobby Zamora and directly attributed his move to Mark Hughes. Cisse speaking in January said of Hughes: "He wanted to sign me at Manchester City and now I am finally here with him at QPR"
Cissé, although keen to leave London, is said to be happy back in England. He previously lived in the North West and sources close to the Frenchman say he would prefer a move back to that part of the country.
TELEGRAPH - Jason Burt
Tony Fernandes was forced to sack Mark Hughes by QPR board
QPR chairman Tony Fernandes was outvoted by his fellow Malaysian shareholders over the sacking of Mark Hughes.
Fernandes had fought to keep Hughes in his job but met strong opposition from Kamarudin Bin Meranun — who held talks with Hughes earlier this week — and Ruben Emir Gnanalingam. Amit Bhatia, the fourth QPR shareholder, is thought to have been less vociferous than the other two in trying to force Hughes out but agreed with the decision.
Fernandes was persuaded after Harry Redknapp, who took his seat in the Old Trafford directors’ box, set QPR a deadline of Saturday to make up their minds. Redknapp insisted that otherwise he would accept an offer to become the new coach of Ukraine.
That ultimatum, the pressure from supporters calling for a change, and a fear that QPR might fail to attract another high-calibre manager led to the decision. Redknapp has not yet signed his two-and-a-half year contract, thought to be worth around £3million a season with a seven-figure bonus should he manage to escape relegation.
He will not be given significant transfer funds to spend in the January window but will be allowed to recall Joey Barton from his loan spell at Marseilles should he wish.
Redknapp will push the club to make a renewed offer for Tottenhamdefender Michael Dawson but will be told to sell players to make the funds available. QPR failed to persuade Dawson to sign in August after agreeing a £9million deal with Spurs. The move broke down over personal terms.
“I don’t see us spending,” Redknapp said yesterday. “Twelve players were brought in in the summer so I think QPR have basically spent their money. You can’t keep spending.” He will, however, be able to push for loan deals and can try to move some players on. A new striker and central defender are his priorities.
The 65 year-old explained why he had accepted the post despite QPR being bottom of the Premier League. “I wanted to get back into football. It’s a big challenge but it’s Premier League football,” he said. “At the start of the week I was ready to take the job in Ukraine. I really fancied it. It was almost a done deal. I’ve not even signed my contract yet, it’s been a bit hectic.”
Redknapp is expected bring in his usual backroom staff of Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan but Hughes’ assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, who took charge of the team yesterday, have not been told they are leaving.
Redknapp called on QPR’s underperforming squad to show more fight than in recent weeks. “The players have to be at it. The buck stops with them,” he said. “There are some good players here and they really need to step up and start performing.”
Fernandes stayed away from London this week while his fellow shareholders — most notably Kamarundin — held a series of meetings. Kamarundin was at Old Trafford with QPR chief executive Philip Beard, who had been the first to express concern with Hughes.
Hughes was summoned to meet Kamarundin at Loftus Road on Tuesday and was asked whether he could improve results. Although he was not given any reassurance, Hughes left the meeting believing he would be given more time.
Two meetings with the first-team squad followed to clear the air, the most recent on Thursday evening, only hours before Hughes was dismissed. Both meetings were constructive, with players accepting that they had underperformed but also that they needed more time.
Hughes had agreed to ditch Jose Bosingwa, Esteban Granero and Junior Hoilett from the team he would have selected for yesterday’s game and to reinstate some of the old guard of Jamie Mackie, Shaun Derry and Clint Hill, along with Nedum Onuoha. They are not better footballers but they are battle. With QPR in a scrap, Hughes had to concede that things needed to change, including his management. The QPR board, who complained about Hughes’ communication skills, feared that he might be unable to do that.
There is, however, a bewildered mood at the club. Hughes did not lose the dressing room. There was no player revolt. He could not be accused of failing to work hard enough, that his teams were underprepared or that the coaching was unprofessional. QPR have advanced hugely in the past few months, particularly away from the pitch, and that has mostly been down to Hughes.
All the necessary systems were in place, including medical expertise and scouting network, and he was overseeing impressive plans for a new training ground and new stadium.
It looked like Hughes had neglected the football but he had not. Much criticism has centred on his signings but the summer spending came in at less than £14million. half what Southampton spent. The wage bill rose significantly but some of the older players acquired were there only on a short-term basis and precisely because they could stave off the possibility of relegation.
GUARDIAN/Paul Wilson
Harry Redknapp takes QPR reins and tells players to raise their game
• Redknapp watches club go down 3-1 at Manchester United
• Manager insists he has not discussed bringing in new players
• Manager insists he has not discussed bringing in new players
For about 12 minutes at Old Trafford it appeared Harry Redknapp
might have transformed Queens Park Rangers' fortunes just by breathing
on them. The former Tottenham manager was present in a watching
capacity, sitting in the main stand between the QPR chief executive, Philip Beard, and the shareholder Kamarudin Bin Meranun, yet he saw the Premier League's bottom club withstand Manchester United for the first half and take an early lead in the second.
No miracle resulted, however, and by the end of the game normal service had been resumed, as United won 3-1. Redknapp, who to the surprise of no one was confirmed as the new QPR manager on Saturday morning, will be familiar with United's habit of waiting to go behind before producing their best football. Three goals in eight minutes later, United were back at the top of the table and QPR still as firmly rooted to the bottom.
That meant the only surprise of the afternoon was Redknapp promising not to spend a fortune in January. "The players at QPR have not performed to their potential," he said. "The players have to be at it, the buck stops with them. I didn't tell the club I wanted money to spend, I have not even discussed that situation. There are some good players here and if we can get them performing then come January, we might not need so much."
QPR performed well for an hour, and Sir Alex Ferguson thought Redknapp's arrival might have galvanised them. "You generally get that when you change managers," he said. "QPR came here with a surge of determination and we found them hard to break down at first."
Mark Bowen, assistant manager to the deposed Mark Hughes, supervised from the touchline. "As a unit we looked solid and did well up to a point," he said. "Then the roof caved in. You know you are going to come under pressure here but we weren't helped by individuals not doing their jobs at set plays."
Bowen is waiting to hear whether he will be retained by Redknapp, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Rangers, who are 20th and five points behind 17th-placed Reading. "We can't get any lower," said Redknapp. "We are rock bottom and we have to try and get up that table. I remember when I was at Portsmouth and we stayed up with a game to go at Wigan – it was the most fantastic feeling. The club had a good manager in Mark Hughes but for whatever reason it did not work out. We now have to produce in the last two thirds of the season to try and get out of trouble. Mark lost his job, but the players have to be man enough to know they are to blame for the position we are in."
Redknapp, who will take charge for Rangers' visit to Sunderland on Tuesday, was the primary target of Tony Fernandes, the QPR owner. "Harry was our No1 target, the unanimous choice of the board," Fernandes said. "He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has all the characteristics we were looking for to get us out of the current situation we find ourselves in. His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table."
Beard said the club had given Hughes a fair chance but decided the stakes were too high to delay action any longer. "We have played 12 games without a win and felt it was time to act in the best interests of the club," he said. "The prize of staying in the Premier League is really high and, like every club in that part of the table, we will work really hard to get out of trouble. The situation is only not salvageable when it is impossible, but ultimately three clubs won't survive. We will be giving everything to make sure we are not one of those three, and hope we have given ourselves a chance." Guardian
No miracle resulted, however, and by the end of the game normal service had been resumed, as United won 3-1. Redknapp, who to the surprise of no one was confirmed as the new QPR manager on Saturday morning, will be familiar with United's habit of waiting to go behind before producing their best football. Three goals in eight minutes later, United were back at the top of the table and QPR still as firmly rooted to the bottom.
That meant the only surprise of the afternoon was Redknapp promising not to spend a fortune in January. "The players at QPR have not performed to their potential," he said. "The players have to be at it, the buck stops with them. I didn't tell the club I wanted money to spend, I have not even discussed that situation. There are some good players here and if we can get them performing then come January, we might not need so much."
QPR performed well for an hour, and Sir Alex Ferguson thought Redknapp's arrival might have galvanised them. "You generally get that when you change managers," he said. "QPR came here with a surge of determination and we found them hard to break down at first."
Mark Bowen, assistant manager to the deposed Mark Hughes, supervised from the touchline. "As a unit we looked solid and did well up to a point," he said. "Then the roof caved in. You know you are going to come under pressure here but we weren't helped by individuals not doing their jobs at set plays."
Bowen is waiting to hear whether he will be retained by Redknapp, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Rangers, who are 20th and five points behind 17th-placed Reading. "We can't get any lower," said Redknapp. "We are rock bottom and we have to try and get up that table. I remember when I was at Portsmouth and we stayed up with a game to go at Wigan – it was the most fantastic feeling. The club had a good manager in Mark Hughes but for whatever reason it did not work out. We now have to produce in the last two thirds of the season to try and get out of trouble. Mark lost his job, but the players have to be man enough to know they are to blame for the position we are in."
Redknapp, who will take charge for Rangers' visit to Sunderland on Tuesday, was the primary target of Tony Fernandes, the QPR owner. "Harry was our No1 target, the unanimous choice of the board," Fernandes said. "He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has all the characteristics we were looking for to get us out of the current situation we find ourselves in. His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table."
Beard said the club had given Hughes a fair chance but decided the stakes were too high to delay action any longer. "We have played 12 games without a win and felt it was time to act in the best interests of the club," he said. "The prize of staying in the Premier League is really high and, like every club in that part of the table, we will work really hard to get out of trouble. The situation is only not salvageable when it is impossible, but ultimately three clubs won't survive. We will be giving everything to make sure we are not one of those three, and hope we have given ourselves a chance." Guardian
Ham and High
Thompson/PA Wire.
Bowen defends sacked QPR boss Hughes after Man United defeat
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Stand-in boss Mark Bowen launched a passionate defence of Mark Hughes’ managerial reign following today’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.
The new man was present at Old Trafford and will take training for the first time tomorrow, leaving Bowen facing an uncertain future.
However, the Welshman insists Hughes had improved Rangers, even though they remain at the foot of the Premier League with only four points, the worst return in the competition’s history from the first 13 games.
“People ask me what went wrong but when this club stayed up on the last day of last season, clubs like Southampton and Reading had a better squad than us,” said Bowen.
“They had players who had been together and had success together.
“At times we have been criticised for the number of players who have left.
“Not one player we have let go is anywhere near the Premier League now.
“We have brought good players into the club. I have seen it every day in training. Maybe at times a few of the lads have been found wanting.”
Bowen denied reports Hughes had walked off the training ground yesterday, having been informed by chief executive Philip Beard he was going to be sacked no matter what the outcome of today’s game.
“We were preparing for training and putting our ideas together about what we were going to do when Philip knocked on the door,” he said.
“No-one was called over. It was all handled with dignity.”
Redknapp left four minutes before the end of today’s game, with Bowen confirming he had no input.
“I have not spoken to Harry and he has not spoken to the players,” he said. “It has been difficult.
“Football is an emotive game and yesterday was a desperate day. Mark is my friend.
“I just said I would prepare the team to give everything it has got.” Ham and High
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
BOWEN'S UNITED VERDICT
'Set-plays came back to haunt us' admits assistant
ASSISTANT manager Mark Bowen rued ‘silly mistakes’ amongst the
QPR defence after the R’s let a one-goal lead slip to lose 3-1 at
Manchester United.
Jamie Mackie’s close-range
opener seven minutes after the re-start aroused hopes of an unlikely
victory on the road but three quick-fire goals from the hosts turned
things around.
Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher
both converted from corners before Javier Hernandez ensured the west
Londoners returned to the capital with ultimately nothing to show for a
spirited display.
Bowen, handed temporary
charge for the trip to Old Trafford following Mark Hughes’ exit on
Friday, told www.qpr.co.uk: “That old chestnut of set-plays came back to
haunt us again.
“Until then [United’s equalising goal on 58 minutes] I felt fairly comfortable.
“Then the roof caves in and we let in two silly goals with individuals not doing their jobs.”
Despite leaving Manchester empty-handed, Bowen was pleased with the side’s level of performance.
“You’re always going to come under pressure at times at Old Trafford but I think, as a unit, the lads worked well,” he added.
“Maybe
in the final third we were a little bit lax with the final ball but
that was a result of the work Mackie and [Djibril] Cisse did for the
team defending. They were a little bit fatigued when they got in those
areas.
“But up to that point I was delighted.”
Defeat keeps the Hoops propping up the table after seeing their winless start to the campaign stretch to 13 outings.
Bowen,
however, dismissed any talk of discontent amongst the playing staff and
remains adamant there is more than enough quality within the R’s
dressing room to drag themselves away from danger.
“People
have written and said a lot over the past few weeks but I can tell you
there’s a genuine belief that this club will stay up,” he said.
“The players are hurting at the moment, they’re angry.
“But talk of dressing room unrest is completely wide of the mark.”
QPR
Mirror - Don't call me, I only signed for the money': Joey Barton rules out QPR rescue
'It was the first time in my life that I had taken a decision for money - but I did not feel good about it' says Hoops bad boy
Joey Barton last night admitted he only joined QPR for the money –
and there will be no way back for the bad-boy midfielder under new boss
Harry Redknapp, writes the Sunday People.
The Hoops’ manager has a reputation for kick-starting the careers of football’s troubled souls – but Barton has burnt all of his bridges at Loftus Road and his year-long loan to Marseille contains no call-back option.
Click here to read more stories from the Sunday People
Adel Taarabt is now likely to join Barton out of the exit door, after being frozen out by Redknapp during his Spurs days.
But keeper Rob Green will now be handed an unlikely lifeline by Redknapp – who tried to sign him on three occasions at White Hart Lane.
Yet there is no chance of Barton playing for QPR again after his admission that he only left Newcastle for the Hoops last year for the cash.
Barton, who will make his league debut for Marseille against Lille tonight after a 12-match ban, said: “When I went to QPR it was a choice dictated by money. I didn’t like what I had done, and I swore I’d never do that again.
“It was the first time in my life that I had taken a decision for money. I did it because my partner was due to give birth – but I did not feel good about it.
Bad-boy Barton said: “The more money you have, the more problems you have. When I was in prison I got £7 a week, and that was simpler – you’d use the £7 to buy food and that was it.”
Taarabt has told pals he is seeking a return to French football, believing he has no chance of figuring regularly under his former Spurs boss.
The talented, but inconsistent, midfielder had scored some important goals under sacked boss Mark Hughes and is popular with most fans – but days could now be numbered.
Yet keeper Green is likely to return before long – after last summer’s free transfer from West Ham to Loftus Road had turned into a nightmare.
Green agreed a deal only for Hughes to sign Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar from Inter Milan just weeks later and freeze out the England man. Mirror
The Hoops’ manager has a reputation for kick-starting the careers of football’s troubled souls – but Barton has burnt all of his bridges at Loftus Road and his year-long loan to Marseille contains no call-back option.
Click here to read more stories from the Sunday People
Adel Taarabt is now likely to join Barton out of the exit door, after being frozen out by Redknapp during his Spurs days.
But keeper Rob Green will now be handed an unlikely lifeline by Redknapp – who tried to sign him on three occasions at White Hart Lane.
Yet there is no chance of Barton playing for QPR again after his admission that he only left Newcastle for the Hoops last year for the cash.
Barton, who will make his league debut for Marseille against Lille tonight after a 12-match ban, said: “When I went to QPR it was a choice dictated by money. I didn’t like what I had done, and I swore I’d never do that again.
“It was the first time in my life that I had taken a decision for money. I did it because my partner was due to give birth – but I did not feel good about it.
Bad-boy Barton said: “The more money you have, the more problems you have. When I was in prison I got £7 a week, and that was simpler – you’d use the £7 to buy food and that was it.”
Taarabt has told pals he is seeking a return to French football, believing he has no chance of figuring regularly under his former Spurs boss.
The talented, but inconsistent, midfielder had scored some important goals under sacked boss Mark Hughes and is popular with most fans – but days could now be numbered.
Yet keeper Green is likely to return before long – after last summer’s free transfer from West Ham to Loftus Road had turned into a nightmare.
Green agreed a deal only for Hughes to sign Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar from Inter Milan just weeks later and freeze out the England man. Mirror
