Headline, Two Years Ago Today - "QPR line up Argentinian Manager"

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QPR line up Argentinian manager

Jon Brodkin Saturday September 4, 2004
The Guardian

Queens Park Rangers are ready to make an extraordinary managerial appointment, replacing Ian Holloway with Ramón Díaz, a former Argentina striker who has coached River Plate to several trophies in his homeland.
The struggling Football League Championship club are preparing to dismiss Holloway and turn to Díaz, who played with Diego Maradona, Ossie Ardiles and others in the 1982 World Cup, scoring during the team's defeat by Brazil.

Holloway could be sacked as early as next week, although QPR - 20th in the table - may wait for another defeat or two before removing their popular manager.

Díaz has connections with a Monaco-based consortium, Barnaby Holdings, which recently acquired a stake in QPR. The consortium, headed by the former Brazil captain Dunga, has bought 10% of the club's shares and plans to purchase another 19.9% in the near future.
Díaz has an impressive CV as both player and coach. He turned out for Napoli, Internazionale, Fiorentina and Monaco among other teams before moving into coaching. The 45-year-old has had more than one spell in charge of River Plate, winning the Libertadores Cup in 1996 and several domestic championships.

He has not worked for two years after falling out with River over his salary and, after spending time with his family, has been looking for work outside Argentina. Having failed to secure employment in France, Spain or Italy he has happily accepted the overtures of QPR.

He watched the team two weeks ago at Loftus Road against Derby County and is understood to have spoken to Gino Padula, the club's left-back who was born in Argentina and played under him at River in the mid-90s.

QPR said last night that "at no stage have negotiations taken place between the club and Mr Díaz regarding managerial or coaching positions at QPR".

They stated that the club "wants nothing more than success for both Ian and the team". However, time seems to be running out for Holloway, who led QPR to promotion last season.

Guardian