QPR REPORT

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

An Open Query: Who Now Owns QPR?...Harford Meets With Saksena

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Neil Warnock: Set For QPR?

QPR Chairman Urged to "Analyse" Briatore's Dealings...Connolly Injury Update...No Osbourne?

Mark was much happier back in the capital. (©PAphotos)Picture GalleryNew

Monday, February 22, 2010

Ex-QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo's Harsh Words for Flavio Briatore....QPR Goalie Out on Loan

Sunday, February 21, 2010

QPR's Raheem Sterling Set For Manchester United?

Harford Backs Warnock for QPR...Briatore Still Owns 20% of QPR Supposedly

If Not Dowie: Warnock for QPR!...Furlong Eye Injury...Forty Years Ago Today: QPR vs Chelsea FA Cup Quarter Final Game

Saturday, February 20, 2010

QPR Chief Paladini Lines Up Dowie!

Saksena The QPR Man in Charge Making The Managerial Decision....Warnock Refuses to Comment

- Other Saksena Photos

Telegraph/ By Julian Bennetts - QPR 2 Doncaster 1
- Queens Park Rangers started life without Flavio Briatore in style as they moved four points clear of the relegation zone in what is likely to be Mick Harford's final game in caretaker charge.
- The controversial Italian resigned from his role as Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd on Friday, leaving a legacy of ten managerial changes and 47 signings in just 29 months in charge.
- He has been replaced by Ishan Saksena, who Telegraph Sport understands has stepped up the search for a permanent manager to replace Harford, who has won just one of his seven games in charge.
- The favourite is Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, although QPR would have to wait until after Palace's FA Cup fifth round replay with Aston Villa on Wednesday to make an offer.
- Alan Curbishley has also been considered for the job in the past, but it is understood that he has been ruled out on this occasion. - Gianni Paladini has reverted back to his role as Chairman of QPR FC, which is in turn owned by the Holdings company, but it is Saksena who will make the final decision on the new manager.
- Briatore has also sold the majority of his shares to the Mittal family, who are represented by Amit Bhatia, vice-chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, but they are expected to be far less hands-on than the previous regime.
- Briatore interfered with selection and transfer policy, but the new men in charge recognise that the new manager must be given complete control.
- That is likely to mean the end of Harford's temporary reign at the club - a scenario he is well prepared for.
- "The football club need to appoint a new manager. If it's me then great, if not then they should bring someone in to take this great club forward," said Harford.
- "My remit is simply to look after the team. I've been given no assurances and I don't know if I'll be in charge against Middlesbrough next Saturday."
- Yet if this was Harford's final game in charge it was a fine way to bow out as 18-year-old striker Antonio German took the game by storm, scoring his first professional goal from close range in the first-half after Neil Sullivan had parried Jay Simpson's shot.
- QPR's achilles heel is their defence, and James Hayter made it 20 games without a clean sheet for the hosts as he converted Billy Sharp's low cross. But QPR were the better side - "we were awful," admitted Doncaster's manager, Sean O'Driscoll, afterwards - and Simpson won the game with 14 minutes left as he chested down Akos Buzsaky's through-ball and volleyed past an over-exposed Sullivan." Telegraph

SPORTING LIFE - By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport - Harford in The Dark
- QPR's first victory of 2010 is unlikely to be enough to keep Mick Harford in the manager's job at Loftus Road.
- Harford, who was put in charge until the end of the season after Paul Hart walked out in January, broke his win duck at the seventh attempt with a 2-1 success against Doncaster.
- But despite the resignation of chairman Flavio Briatore last night, Rangers are believed to be on the look-out for a new permanent boss - their seventh in less than two-and-a-half years since the controversial Italian arrived at the club.
- Briatore's replacement Ishan Saksena spoke to the players in the dressing room at Loftus Road before the game and will have the final say on who the new manager will be.
- Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock is rumoured to be top of the list but Rangers will have to wait until after their FA Cup replay at Aston Villa next week.
- When asked if he expects to be in charge against Middlesbrough next weekend, Harford said: "I don't know."
- He added: "The club needs to appoint a football manager. If it's me, great. If it's not me then they need to bring someone in, long-term, back him and give him the opportunity to take the club forward.
- "My remit is just to look after the team. There was no timescale, just look after the team until they appoint a permanent manager.
- "If the results had been better I would have been in a stronger position, make no bones about it.
- "What I'm bothered about is this club. Whatever they decide has to be for the good of this football club."
- Goals from Antonio German and Jay Simpson did at least ensure Rangers began life after Briatore in style.
- Rangers had signed an incredible 47 players since Briatore took charge, so it was heartening to see local lad German given his full debut in attack.
- And the 18-year-old grabbed his big chance with his first professional goal.
- "I thought he was the best player on the pitch," added Harford.
- "He's technically very good and if he continues to improve he's got a good future."
- Rangers' familiar jitters kicked in after the break - they have not kept a clean sheet in 22 games - and Doncaster levelled through James Hayter's close-range strike.
- But Arsenal loanee Simpson popped up to tuck away a fine winner.
- "We were awful, we never got going," said Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll.
- "Our two centre-halves played like it was only their second game together - which it was.
- "But you have to give some credit to QPR, and the young boy was excellent." Sporting Life

Local Guardian/Graham Moody -Warnock silent on QPR
- Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has refused to talk about speculation linking him with the manager's job at Queens Park Rangers....- The former Sheffield United boss would not be drawn on the link though. - “I don't even want to mention it,” he said. “No comment and you can make a story about that. “I won't be talking about that tonight, I'm talking about my players, I thought they were super against Coventry today. “I'm looking forward to the cup game.” Local Guardian
- WArnock Silent on Speculation Skysports

QPR Halt Relegation Plunge, Beat Doncaster

-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below

- Ex-Chairman Bill Power (BP) Update

- The Big Unanswered Question: How Much of a Change Really Took Place? What Percentage of QPR is Now Owned By the Mittals?

Local Guardian/Graham Moody -Warnock silent on QPR
- Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has refused to talk about speculation linking him with the manager's job at Queens Park Rangers....- The former Sheffield United boss would not be drawn on the link though. - “I don't even want to mention it,” he said. “No comment and you can make a story about that. “I won't be talking about that tonight, I'm talking about my players, I thought they were super against Coventry today. “I'm looking forward to the cup game.” Local Guardian
- WArnock Silent on Speculation Skysports

Telegraph/ By Julian Bennetts - QPR 2 Doncaster 1
- Queens Park Rangers started life without Flavio Briatore in style as they moved four points clear of the relegation zone in what is likely to be Mick Harford's final game in caretaker charge.
- The controversial Italian resigned from his role as Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd on Friday, leaving a legacy of ten managerial changes and 47 signings in just 29 months in charge.
- He has been replaced by Ishan Saksena, who Telegraph Sport understands has stepped up the search for a permanent manager to replace Harford, who has won just one of his seven games in charge.
- The favourite is Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, although QPR would have to wait until after Palace's FA Cup fifth round replay with Aston Villa on Wednesday to make an offer.
- Alan Curbishley has also been considered for the job in the past, but it is understood that he has been ruled out on this occasion. - Gianni Paladini has reverted back to his role as Chairman of QPR FC, which is in turn owned by the Holdings company, but it is Saksena who will make the final decision on the new manager.
- Briatore has also sold the majority of his shares to the Mittal family, who are represented by Amit Bhatia, vice-chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, but they are expected to be far less hands-on than the previous regime.
- Briatore interfered with selection and transfer policy, but the new men in charge recognise that the new manager must be given complete control.
- That is likely to mean the end of Harford's temporary reign at the club - a scenario he is well prepared for.
- "The football club need to appoint a new manager. If it's me then great, if not then they should bring someone in to take this great club forward," said Harford.
- "My remit is simply to look after the team. I've been given no assurances and I don't know if I'll be in charge against Middlesbrough next Saturday."
- Yet if this was Harford's final game in charge it was a fine way to bow out as 18-year-old striker Antonio German took the game by storm, scoring his first professional goal from close range in the first-half after Neil Sullivan had parried Jay Simpson's shot.
- QPR's achilles heel is their defence, and James Hayter made it 20 games without a clean sheet for the hosts as he converted Billy Sharp's low cross. But QPR were the better side - "we were awful," admitted Doncaster's manager, Sean O'Driscoll, afterwards - and Simpson won the game with 14 minutes left as he chested down Akos Buzsaky's through-ball and volleyed past an over-exposed Sullivan." Telegraph

SPORTING LIFE - By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport - Harford in The Dark
- QPR's first victory of 2010 is unlikely to be enough to keep Mick Harford in the manager's job at Loftus Road.
- Harford, who was put in charge until the end of the season after Paul Hart walked out in January, broke his win duck at the seventh attempt with a 2-1 success against Doncaster.
- But despite the resignation of chairman Flavio Briatore last night, Rangers are believed to be on the look-out for a new permanent boss - their seventh in less than two-and-a-half years since the controversial Italian arrived at the club.

Briatore's replacement Ishan Saksena spoke to the players in the dressing room at Loftus Road before the game and will have the final say on who the new manager will be.

Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock is rumoured to be top of the list but Rangers will have to wait until after their FA Cup replay at Aston Villa next week.

When asked if he expects to be in charge against Middlesbrough next weekend, Harford said: "I don't know."

He added: "The club needs to appoint a football manager. If it's me, great. If it's not me then they need to bring someone in, long-term, back him and give him the opportunity to take the club forward.

"My remit is just to look after the team. There was no timescale, just look after the team until they appoint a permanent manager.

"If the results had been better I would have been in a stronger position, make no bones about it.

"What I'm bothered about is this club. Whatever they decide has to be for the good of this football club."

Goals from Antonio German and Jay Simpson did at least ensure Rangers began life after Briatore in style.

Rangers had signed an incredible 47 players since Briatore took charge, so it was heartening to see local lad German given his full debut in attack.

And the 18-year-old grabbed his big chance with his first professional goal.

"I thought he was the best player on the pitch," added Harford.

"He's technically very good and if he continues to improve he's got a good future."

Rangers' familiar jitters kicked in after the break - they have not kept a clean sheet in 22 games - and Doncaster levelled through James Hayter's close-range strike.

But Arsenal loanee Simpson popped up to tuck away a fine winner.

"We were awful, we never got going," said Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll.

"Our two centre-halves played like it was only their second game together - which it was.

"But you have to give some credit to QPR, and the young boy was excellent." Sporting Life

QPR 2 Doncaster 1 - QPR Official Site -HARFORD: 'WE DESERVED THE WIN' Posted on: Sat 20 Feb 2010
- Rangers boss Mick Harford was full of praise for his side after QPR recorded a 2-1 victory at home to Doncaster Rovers.
- Antonio German opened the scoring on 25 minutes, before Rovers equalised on 51 minutes. With time running out on the clock, in the 77th minute Jay Simpson thumped home when through on goal to give the R's a much-needed win at Loftus Road.

Manager Harford was elated with the victory, reserving special praise for German who scored on what was his first league start.

"I thought Antonio German was the best player on the pitch," explained the R's boss.

"He made his debut and deserved it because he's worked so hard on the training ground.

"If you give someone a chance the fans will back them, I thought he was fantastic today.

"I was so happy for him, he's got to continue to work hard ahead of what should be a good and long career I hope. But if he can put on performances like that he's got a bright future.

Harford added: "I've said it over the past few weeks that our performances have been more than acceptable.

"We just haven't had the breaks.

"I thought today that the players showed fantastic attitude along with the ability that they've got against what are a very good Doncaster team, who play their football in the right way.

"We stopped them playing and imposed ourselves, we deserved the win." QPR

QPR Official Site - QPR 2, DONCASTER 1
- Antonio German and Jay Simpson were both on the scoresheet as the R's secured a maximum return against Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road.

The young striker opened the scoring in the 25th minute after he pounced on a loose ball when Jay Simpson's initial header was superbly saved by Neil Sullivan for Donny.

Rovers levelled the scores just six minutes after the interval. Billy Sharp's low cross found James Hayter, who fired the ball home six yards from goal.

Both sides had chances to win it, though it was Rangers who took the points in an exciting finale in W12, after Akos Buzsaky's exquisite through ball was powered home by Simpson.

Rangers boss Mick Harford made one change from last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Coventry City.

German was handed his first league start for QPR, replacing Tamas Priskin who made way.

Carl Ikeme was once again in goal for Rangers.

Peter Ramage and Matt Hill occupied the full-back positions, with Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss at the centre of defence.

Buzsaky, Alejandro Faurlin, Matt Connolly and Lee Cook made up the R's midfield quartet.

Simpson joined German up front.

On a cold but sundrenched afternoon in West London, the R's fashioned the first chance of the opening period.

After the ball found its way into the Doncaster box, Connolly received possession before his blasted shot at goal was blocked away for a corner

Moments later, Faurlin picked the ball up just past midway before passing to Buzsaky.

The Magical Magyar drove at the Rovers penalty area before unleashing a stinging effort that only just went over the crossbar.

Soon after, it was Donny who had their first chance of the match.

Following a short corner from Mark Wilson, the ball eventually found its way to Brian Stock, whose low shot came off the leg of a Rangers defender before going wide for a corner.

Although Rangers, by this stage, had created one or two more chances to score, there was little to separate the two sides.

Rovers were next on the attack and missed their best chance to date to find the net.

James O'Connor burst down the right before crossing to Sharp, and when an R's defender blocked the ball away only as far as Elliott Ward, he could only fire wide of the goal.

It was a missed chance that Donny would live to regret, and moments later, a lovely passing R's move saw them take the lead.

Passes were exchanged between Buzsaky, Faurlin and Cook before the left winger crossed for Simpson. The Arsenal loanee looked certain to nod home just six yards from goal, only for Sullivan to pull of a brilliant save.

It didn't matter though, as German was on hand to touch the ball over the line in his first league start.

Full of optimism from their first strike, the R's set about adding another when Cook took possession on the left before drilling a low effort at goal that went just wide of the right-hand post.

Rangers were now playing with confidence that was clear for all to see, with German's goal giving the hosts the extra belief to get the ball down and play football.

The R's almost gave themselves a chance of adding a second before the half-time whistle, only to be denied by a superb save from Neil Sullivan, who did well to get down low after Gorkss headed Cook's corner towards the goal.

As the second half commenced, it was QPR who had the first chance of any note.

Faurlin won possession inside the Doncaster half before sending in a low curling shot that went only inches wide of Sullivan's left-hand post.

Moments later, Rangers missed a guilt-edged opportunity to put themselves further in front.

Cook was the architect, sending in a delightful centre from a corner on the left, and German could only head over when unmarked around six yards from goal.

Boosted by the reprieve, Rovers punished the R's inability to add to their opening goal, levelling the scores through Hayter.

A long ball was played up to Sharp in the area, who turned and crossed for Hayter, and the frontman had the simplest of tasks from close range to tap home.

The R's responded to the setback soon after, and when Cook found space down the left, his cross rolled agonisingly across the six-yard box before eventually being cleared by the Rovers defence.

QPR were now the side most likely to score, and when Buzsaky's centre was cleared only as far a Connolly in the penalty area, he flicked the ball over a defender before seeing his effort blocked away for another corner.

Play then switched to the other end, with James Coppinger sending in a low shot 12 yards from goal that was collected by Ikeme for Rangers.

Soon after, Rangers stole the points in fine style.

Buzsaky made the chance, dinking a high ball up to an unmarked Simpson in the area, who controlled the ball with his first touch before smashing home into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

QPR: Ikeme, Ramage (Taarabt 77), Stewart, Buzsaky, Gorkss, Connolly (Borrowdale 85), Cook, Faurlin, Hill, Simpson, German (Vine 90).

Subs: Cerny, Quashie, Balanta, Oastler.
Goals: German (25), Simpson (77)
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, O'Connor, Sharp, Chambers, Stock (Mutch 85), Hayter, Wilson (Roberts 83), Oster, Hird, Coppinger (Shiels 83), Ward.
Subs: Smith, Guy, Spicer, Dumbuya.
Goals: Hayter (51)
Referee: Mr D Whitestone
Attendance: 10, 960 QPR

Doncaster Official Site

After a frosty night the pitch had thawed out for this afternoon's game at Queen's Park Rangers. The Rovers were unchanged from their win at Hillsborough on Tuesday, with Gareth Roberts returning from injury and taking the missing place on the bench. The Rovers defended the School end on Bloemfontein Road, where their fans were seated.
The home team set the game in motion and won a corner after 30seconds but this was cleared. The Rangers made the early running getting in shots from German from 25yards that went out for a throw-in and Buzsaky who fired over the bar from a similar distance. In the 8th minute, the Rovers won their first corner but this led to the home team going on to the attack and also forcing a corner. A quick break from this by Oster broke down as O'Connor joined the attack. Five minutes later, a corner for the Rovers gave Stock a shot from 15yards that was deflected for another, which was followed by a third, which came out of defence to Stock, who volleyed high and wide from 20yards. In the 21st minute, a sweeping movement by the Rovers from left to right for O'Connor to hit a low cross that came out to Coppinger but his left foot effort from 25yards went wide. Then, in the 25th minute, Faurlin got away down the left, a low cross to the middle was met with a diving header by Simpson, which hit Sullivan in the chest and GERMAN stabbed in. On the half hour, Cook fired wide of the far post from 25yards in what was a fairly even game, with Sharp being pulled up a few times for offside. The Rovers battled to stay in the game but the home team were sharper on the ball, with the Rovers looking a shadow of the team from mid-week. As the 45th minute came up Stock played Oster in on the right. He got to the byline before pulling the ball back for Stock to shoot over from 15yards. Down to the other end and a corner to the home team brought a close range header from Buzsaky that Sullivan blocked. A further corner to the home team was cleared before the referee blew for the break.

Half time - Queens Park Rangers 1 Doncaster Rovers 0

The Rovers got the second half underway but it was the home team that had first sight of goal when Buzsaky hit a left foot drive from 25yards that was just wide. Two minutes later and a corner to Rangers brought a header from 6yards by German that just cleared the bar. Then, on 51 minutes, the Rovers attacked down their right, with Sharp getting to the byline before hitting a low cross to the middle for the onrushing HAYTER to slam into the back of the net for an equalising goal. Ten minutes of even play ensued before the home team "scored" following a free kick but with four players ruled offside the home cheers were cut short. However, the Rangers followed this up with successive corners that brought no reward. Minutes later a good build-up by the Rovers ended with Coppinger getting in a shot from just inside the area that was easily saved. The Rovers were having a fair share of the game but from being on the attack they were caught short at the back in the 76th minute, the offside flag didn't go up and SIMPSON went on to shoot past Sullivan and give the Rangers the lead. Substitutions came from both sides as the Rovers tried hard for the equaliser as time ran out but the only effort of note came in the 84th minute when, following a corner to the Rovers, Stock volleyed wide from 20yards. In added time Simpson, for the home team, got a good strike at goal but put it wide. Time ran out and Queens Park Rangers finished as winners by the odd goal in three.

Teams - Queens Park Rangers - Carl Ikeme; Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Akos Buzsaky, Kaspars Gorkss, Matthew Connolly, Lee Cook, Alejandro Faurlin, Matthew Hill, Jay Simpson, Antonio German

Subs used - Adel Taarabt for Ramage 77mins; Gary Borrowdale for Connolly 85mins; Rowan Vine for Antonio German 90+2mins

Subs not used - Nigel Quashie, Angelo Balanta, Joe Oastler, Radek Cerny gk

Doncaster Rovers - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Elliott Ward, Sam Hird, James Chambers; James Coppinger, Brian Stock, Mark Wilson, John Oster; James Hayter, Billy Sharp

Subs used - Gareth Roberts for Wilson 83mins; Dean Shiels for Coppinger 83mins; Jordon Mutch for Stock 85mins;
Subs not used - Lewis Guy, John Spicer, Mustapha Dumbuya, Ben Smith gk Doncaster

UPDATED TABLE FROM SPORTING LIFE
Newcastle 32 66 34 56 3-0 FT v Preston
Nottm Forest 33 61 24 48 1-0 FT v Middlesbrough
West Brom 31 60 30 62
Swansea 32 53 7 29 1-0 FT v Derby
Cardiff 31 49 18 56 0-2 FT v Barnsley
Leicester 31 48 7 38 1-1 FT v Plymouth
Blackpool 33 47 10 50 2-0 FT v Reading
Sheff Utd 32 45 1 44 P-P v Peterborough
Middlesbrough 33 44 6 43 0-1 FT v Nottm Forest
Coventry 33 43 -8 37 1-0 FT v Crystal Palace
Barnsley 32 42 -6 42 2-0 FT v Cardiff
Doncaster 31 40 0 38 1-2 FT v QPR
Watford 30 39 -2 43 2-2 FT v Sc*n*horpe
Derby 32 39 -7 38 0-1 FT v Swansea
Preston 32 39 -11 37 0-3 FT v Newcastle
Bristol City 31 38 -8 35
QPR 31 37 -6 43 2-1 FT v Doncaster
Sc*n*horpe 32 37 -19 39 2-2 FT v Watford
Ipswich 31 36 -8 36 1-0 FT v Sheff Wed
Reading 31 35 -14 35 0-2 FT v Blackpool
Sheff Wed 32 34 -14 36 0-1 FT v Ipswich
Crystal Palace * 31 33 -1 34 0-1 FT v Coventry
Plymouth 31 29 -14 29 1-1 FT v Leicester
Peterborough 32 24 -19 36 P-P v Sheff Utd

- QPR's Current Form: Last 17 Game - LDWLD - LLDDW - LDLLL - LL - W ------ - QPR's Final Points Totals for Past Decade -------- Points Needed to Avoid Relegation, season-by-Season ------ - QPR Attendance Stats for the past Few Years

TEAMS: QPR vs Doncaster

The Big Unanswered Question: How Much of a Change Really Took Place? What Percentage of QPR is Now Owned By the Mittals?

-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below

- Ex-Chairman Bill Power (BP) Update

- QPR vs Doncaster

- QPR's Current Form: Last 17 Game - LDWLD - LLDDW - LDLLL - LL
- QPR's Final Points Totals for Past Decade
- Points Needed to Avoid Relegation, season-by-Season
- QPR Attendance Stats for the past Few Years

THE BRIATORE EXIT

The big question that QPR fans are wondering: How many shares actually changed hands? What percentage of the shares are now held by the Mittal Family, Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone (and any other share holdings).
Yesterday's Official Statement gave no indication "The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd today announces Flavio Briatore has decided to step down as Chairman with immediate effect. The Board has appointed Ishan Saksena as the new Chairman.
The Mittal Family has also taken the opportunity to increase its shareholding in the club...QPR would like to thank Flavio Briatore for his great contribution and commitment during his time as Chairman of the club, and wish him every success in his future endeavours.Both Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone remain shareholders of the club...."

There are various newspaper and messageboard rumours. But nothing conclusive. That can be easily remedied by a club statement. There is also a question whether there is any change re the post-ABC Loan status. That loan is now owed to Amulya, which itself is owned jointly by Bhatia and Briatore. Is there going to be any change regarding Briatore's involvement vis-a-vis Amulya?

- Trying to Understand the Share Holdings (Before any Mittal Buy of Briatore shares

- Reminder The "Successor" to the ABC Loan is owed to Amulya (which is owned by Briatore and Bhatia)

- Flashback: The Mittal QPR Involvement First Announced

- A Compilation of Past Amit Bhatia Statements re QPR

- The QPR Accounts from June 2009

Also:
- Three Year Flashback: Tony Roberts Suspended
- Nine Year Flashback: Iain Dowie: "I;d Love to Be Boss

YESTERDAY's (PREVIOUSLY-POSTED) NEWS STORIES RE THE CHANGE

- QPR Official Site NEW CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCED
- The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd today announces Flavio Briatore has decided to step down as Chairman with immediate effect. The Board has appointed Ishan Saksena as the new Chairman.
- The Mittal Family has also taken the opportunity to increase its shareholding in the club.

- Flavio Briatore said: "My three years as Chairman of QPR have been an exciting and incredible experience. I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.

"Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields as well. I'm very happy that my position as Chairman of QPR will go to Ishan Saksena. I'm sure he will do a brilliant job and under his leadership the club will soon achieve the stability and the good results we all expect."
- QPR would like to thank Flavio Briatore for his great contribution and commitment during his time as Chairman of the club, and wish him every success in his future endeavours.

Both Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone remain shareholders of the club.
- Amit Bhatia said: "I have known Ishan for 12 years now and I know his feelings for our club run very deeply. Our immediate priority must be to re-introduce stability into the club and safeguard our future in the Championship.
- "The season has been disappointing so far, but there are still many games to go. We must make every effort to end it positively, not least for our fans, the people who have continued to support and believe in the club through all the highs and lows. Together we can succeed."
- On his new appointment Ishan Saksena said: "Since becoming CEO, I have developed a great love and very strong passion for the club. It is therefore a great honour for me to assume this position. It is a position of trust and I will hold it with great pride.
- "I would like to thank Flavio for all his hard work during his time here and for the many positive additions he has made.
- "I must also express my gratitude to all our fans, who are the real owners of the club. I feel a real responsibility to repay their loyalty and intend to do all I can to bring the great days back to Loftus Road."

Gianni Paladini will resume the role of Chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

About Ishan Saksena:- Ishan Saksena is CEO and Managing Director of Queens Park Rangers Football Club. He has 10 years experience in Mergers & Acquisitions, private equity and asset management in North America, Europe and Emerging Markets.
- During his career, Ishan has been involved in multibillion dollar private equity transactions and restructuring within the consumer, retail, industrial and energy sectors.
- He is an alumnus of Cornell University, USA.
QPR

BBC - Flavio Briatore quits as QPR chairman but keeps shares

Flavio Briatore has stepped down as chairman of Queens Park Rangers Holdings with immediate effect.

Briatore and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone bought the club in September 2007, with Briatore vowing they would be in the Premier League in five years.

But since they they have had an amazing 10 managerial changes and 47 players have been signed by the club.

They currently lie 19th in the Championship table and have lost their last five matches.

As a result of the boardroom reshuffle, the family of the world's fifth richest man, Lakshmi Mittal, has increased its shareholding in the club.

the_facts
Mittal's son-in-law Amit Bhatia was brought into the club by Briatore and Ecclestone in December 2007, buying a 20% stake and joining the board of directors.

Current managing director Ishan Saksena replaces the 61-year-old Italian, and Gianni Paladini will resume his role as chairman of the club.

Briatore and Ecclestone will retain their shareholding in the Loftus Road outfit.

"My three years as chairman of QPR have been an exciting and incredible experience. I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success," said Briatore. BBC

Reuters - Briatore resigns as QPR chairman
Sat Feb 20, 2010 Briatore steps down, remains shareholder

* Quits to focus energy on other areas

* Steel tycoon Mittal increases stake in club (adds details, quotes, byline)

By Tom Pilcher

LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Flavio Briatore stepped down as chairman of Championship (second division) team Queens Park Rangers on Friday, the club said in a statement.

"I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success," the 59-year-old Italian told QPR's website (www.qpr.co.uk).

Flamboyant former Renault team boss Briatore has spent almost 2-1/2 years at the club, having joined forces with Formula One supremo Ecclestone and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal to take it over in 2007 and help bring financial stability.

However, results on the pitch have been disappointing with QPR 19th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone having lost their last five league games.

"Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields," added Briatore, who will remain a QPR shareholder.

Briatore, who was banned for life from Formula One after his involvement in a plot to rig the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix but got the decision overturned, is likely to face an appeal by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Ishan Saksena, previously the west London club's managing director, is taking over as chairman of QPR Holdings Limited while former club chairman Gianni Paladini, who became sporting director when Briatore arrived, will resume his former duties.

Mittal's family has taken the opportunity to increase its shareholding in the club.
Reuters

AFP - Briatore quits as QPR chairman

LONDON — Flavio Briatore quit as chairman of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) on Friday while the family of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal increased its stake in the English second division strugglers.

The controversial Italian, who effectively co-owns the west London side with Mittal and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, had been at the helm at Loftus Road for nearly two and a half years.

A club statement on Friday said that Ishan Saksena, the current QPR chief executive and managing director, would succeed Briatore, who remains a shareholder.

It added: "The Mittal Family has also taken the opportunity to increase its shareholding in the club."

Briatore said: "I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.

"Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields as well.

"I'm very happy that my position as chairman of QPR will go to Ishan Saksena.

"I'm sure he will do a brilliant job and under his leadership the club will soon achieve the stability and the good results we all expect."

Briatore's time as chairman was marked by the former Renault F1 team boss's habit of rapidly hiring and firing managers with six men, plus caretakers, all spending time in the QPR hotseat at the Italian's behest.

Such a turnover of managers -- there were 10 changes in all -- appeared to hinder their bid to return to the elite and lucrative Premier League, a division the club last played in back in 1996.

Briatore also oversaw the signing of 47 players, either on loan or on permanent deals.

QPR are currently 19th in the second division Championship and only a point above a relegation place that would drop them into the third tier of English football.

Briatore, who vowed to take Rangers back to the top flight within five years, was often reported to be interfering in team affairs throughout his tenure as chairman.

He was barracked by fans at half-time at the last game at Loftus Road, a 2-1 defeat by Ipswich Town and did not retake his seat in the directors' box for the second half.

His suitability as a football club chairman was also called into question when he was handed a lifetime ban by the FIA, motorsport's world governing body, for allegedly ordering Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jnr to crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

But last month a French court overturned that ban.

Briatore, who took over at QPR in late 2007 along with Ecclestone, did help save the club from the brink of administration.

The family of Indian billionaire Mittal, who made his fortune in the steel industry, came on board at Loftus Road a couple of months later. AP

The Guardian - Flavio Briatore stands down at Queens Park Rangers• The former Renault F1 boss quits after two and half years
• Briatore succeeded as chairman by Gianni Paladini

Flavio Briatore has stepped down as chairman of Queens Park Rangers after two and a half years in charge.

Since taking joint charge at Loftus Road with Bernie Ecclestone, QPR have had more then ten managers.

Briatore said: "My time as chairman of QPR has been an exciting and incredible experience. I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success."

The former Renault F1 boss will be succeeded by Gianni Paladini, while Ishan Saksena is taking over as chairman of QPR Holdings Limited.

"I'm very happy that my position as chairman of QPR will go to Ishan Saksena," continued Briatiore, "I'm sure he will do a brilliant job and under his leadership the club will soon achieve the stability and the good results we all expect."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/19/flavio-briatore-championship

The Times - February 20, 2010
Flavio Briatore quits as chairman of Queens Park Rangers

Briatore has stepped down after three years as chairman at Queens Park Rangers
Tom Dart

The chairman notorious for changing managers on Friday decided to replace himself. Flavio Briatore resigned from his post at Queens Park Rangers last night, bringing an end to one of the most notorious tenures in English football.

The job of QPR manager became the Death Valley of hot seats during the Italian’s time in charge. Managers arrived and left with dizzying speed: ten, including caretakers, in two-and-a-half years, as the Coca-Cola Championship club chased a top-flight dream that seems as far away now as it was when Briatore first appeared at Loftus Road.

The former principal of the Renault Formula One team became chairman of QPR Holdings, the club’s parent company, when the club was taken over in August 2007 by a consortium including Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One empresario, and Lakshmi Mittal, the billionaire, who is one of the world’s richest men.

QPR said on Friday that the Mittal family have increased their stake in the club and that Briatore and Ecclestone remain shareholders. Ishan Saksena, the existing QPR chief executive and managing director, is the new chairman. He has a background in finance.

“My three years as chairman of QPR have been an exciting and incredible experience,” Briatore said in a statement. “I’m proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success. Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields as well.”

Incredible would seem an apt way to describe Briatore’s tenure. Accusations of excessive interference in team affairs have dogged the Italian’s reign, while nearly 50 players were signed, including loan deals, during a stint that featured six permanent managers.

The 61-year-old’s image was badly tarnished in September last year when he was given a lifetime ban from motor sport for his role in the Renault “Crashgate” race-fixing scandal. That called into question whether he was sufficiently “fit and proper” to remain as a director of QPR but his ban was overturned on appeal last month by a French court.

QPR enjoyed a good start to the campaign under Jim Magilton, but he parted company with the club in December after six months as manager after a dressing-room incident involving Akos Buzsaky, the midfield player, at a game against Watford. Magilton was replaced by Paul Hart, who resigned after only five games. A statement by the League Managers Association released on Hart’s behalf said that he was “very unhappy with certain situations”.

This week, Mick Harford, the caretaker manager, called on the board to make a permanent managerial appointment in order to halt the team’s slide towards relegation. Promotion had been the pre-season target but Briatore was booed by fans at half time last week as QPR lost at home to Ipswich Town and did not re-take his seat in the directors’ box for the second period. The defeat by Coventry City a week ago was QPR’s fifth successive loss and they lie a point outside the bottom three. They host Doncaster Rovers on Saturday having won once since November 7.

The hot-seat
Queens Park Rangers managers since August 2007
John Gregory Sacked on October 1, 2007, with QPR bottom of the Coca-Cola Championship. Mick Harford took caretaker charge.
Luigi De Canio The Italian, formerly coach of Napoli and Siena, took charge on October 29 but left the next May for personal reasons.
Iain Dowie Lasted only 15 games, leaving in October 2008. His departure sparked rumours that Briatore had interfered in team selection. Gareth Ainsworth replaced him as caretaker until mid-November.
Paulo Sousa Manager for five months but started legal proceedings after his dismissal in April last year for, the club said, divulging "confidential and sensitive information". Ainsworth again took temporary charge.
Jim Magilton Left "by mutual consent" last December after 23 matches, after a dressing-room incident with Akos Buzsaky.
Paul Hart Magilton’s successor quit in January after only four weeks and five matches. Harford again became caretaker-manager The Times

Staines News - Briatore leaves Rangers
Feb 19 2010

Flavio Briatore has stepped down as chairman of QPR.

The controversial Italian has been at the helm of the Coca-Cola Championship club for nearly two and a half years.

Ishan Saksena is taking over as chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, with Gianni Paladini resuming as chairman.

Briatore said: "My time as chairman of QPR has been an exciting and incredible experience.

"I'm proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.

"Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields as well.

"I'm very happy that my position as chairman of QPR will go to Ishan Saksena.

"I'm sure he will do a brilliant job and under his leadership the club will soon achieve the stability and the good results we all expect."

Briatore, the former boss of the Renault F1 team, took over in late 2007 along with Bernie Ecclestone after saving the club from the brink of administration. Staines

QPR1st Statement QPR1st SUPPORTERS TRUST
New Chairman Announced
QPR fans had high hopes when Flavio Briatore became the Chairman of QPR and it appeared that a new dawn beckoned. Unfortunately it became increasingly clear that Briatore considered QPR his own personal vanity project. He had no interest in speaking to the supporters trust or independent supporters groups and his reported comments to the media suggested that he did not feel he needed to be accountable to the fans. As a result he became an increasingly unpopular figure and it is sad to say that few will be disappointed that he is no longer chairman.

We hope that the changes within the Board will mark a move to a more 'open dialogue' between the Club and the fans which Amit Bhatia endorsed in a recent correspondence to the supporters trust. We wish Ishan Saksena success as our new Chairman and appreciate his statement acknowledging that the fans are the 'real owners of the club'. We would like to thank Mr. Briatore for his work on behalf of the Club and regret that his tenure as Chairman of the Club did not live up to expectations.

We are looking forward to Amit confirming our request for a meeting and will be seeking further clarification regarding the club statement. In the meanwhile we urge all fans to get behind the lads. QPR1st

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