An Ex-QPR Coach Speaks About QPR, Briatore and Sporting Director, Gianni Paladini

-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- Also available: The combined messageboard and QPRnews quasi-blog QPR Report Messageboard! Check Back throughout the dayfor cutting-edge, comprehensive, QPR-related news snippets. All QPR Perspectives genuinely Welcomed

- Various Earlier Assessments of QPR After Hart


Guardian - Jamie Jackson - Paul Hart hints at internal problems at QPR after walking out• Manager says he had no choice but to leave Loftus Road
• Caretaker-boss Mick Harford unclear over his own situation
- Paul Hart has attacked Queens Park Rangers by claiming that he was "very unhappy with certain situations" which forced him to resign as manager yesterday. Hart's departure made him the sixth manager – not including caretakers – to leave the Championship club in the two years and two months since Flavio Briatore became the majority shareholder.
- Hart's assistant, Mick Harford, who had a previous spell as caretaker in October 2007, has taken over as manager, though he has not been informed by Briatore of the duration of his tenure. Hart, who was in charge of the club for only five games, authorised the League Managers Association to release a statement on his behalf yesterday and the LMA chief executive, Richard Bevan, said: "I am able to say that Paul Hart has left the football club. I understand that he was very unhappy with certain situations which have to remain confidential and felt that resignation was in the best interests of all concerned."
- While QPR confirmed they would be making no comment in reaction to Hart's criticism, questions are bound to be asked from their supporters regarding the stability and direction of the club. Briatore co-owns QPR with Bernie Ecclestone, and Lakshmi Mittal, and it is the Italian who takes the major decisions, assisted by Gianni Paladini, the club chairman and director of football, according to one former coach.
- The coach, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Paladini has a big say in the day-to-day running as Briatore is always in and out of the country. The owners there do love football but possibly they can get too involved, and don't leave it to the manager and the staff. But what's happening there now with all the managers is making QPR laughable."'
- Hart walked out, having won a single game, losing two and drawing two. He had succeeded Jim Magilton as manager on 17 December after the Irishman departed following a dressing-room dispute with the midfielder Akos Buzsaky.
- Harford, who will be in the dugout for tomorrow's game at Blackpool, revealed that his precise position has not been made clear."There's been no time scale," he said. "They've said 'Mick, you take charge of first-team affairs and see where it takes you'. Paul decided to leave – we're all very disappointed about that. He's a good man and he's great to work for. I don't know the waffles of Paul's departure but I just want to wish him all the best."
- Harford, though, is convinced that his strong relationship with Briatore will help. "It's a club I know about, I know how it's run, I know the people, I know the players, I know about the situation. Briatore is a personal friend of mine, I've known him a long, long time." Guardian


Daily Mail/Simon Cass - Flavio Briatore bust-up drove Paul Hart out of Queens Park Rangers after 28 days
- Paul Hart walked out on Queens Park Rangers after just five games and 28 days in charge because he became exasperated by interference from flamboyant owner Flavio Briatore.
- Reports had suggested that Hart's demise was brought on by a fall-out with on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt.
- However, it seems a bust-up with Briatore was the real reason why the former Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest manager felt he had no choice but to turn his back on Loftus Road after such a brief spell at the helm.
Briatore, who won his appeal earlier this month against a lifetime ban from motor sport following the Renault Crashgate affair, is understood to have wanted to continue influencing team selection and the club's transfer targets.
- The QPR co-owner is believed to have been unimpressed by his manager's plan to release Italian duo Matteo Alberti and Alessandro Pellicori and, following Hart's departure, the pair were back at the training ground yesterday morning.
In addition, Hart and Briatore are understood to have disagreed over which players to target during the transfer window, with the 56-year-old manager keen on raiding former club Portsmouth for goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, defender Mike Williamson and striker Tommy Smith.
- Indeed, questions have been raised over whether Hart was actually Briatore's choice to replace Jim Magilton in the first place.
The Italian was busy formulating his ultimately successful appeal against his motor sport ban when the appointment was made.
- In addition, it appears Briatore had already decided not to extend Hart's six-month contract just two games into his brief stay, such was the speed of the breakdown in relations.
- Hart's departure after 28 days and five matches in charge - three of which were against Sheffield United - leaves QPR searching for their seventh permanent manager in just 26 months since Briatore came to power.
- Assistant manager Mick Harford is in charge for Rangers' trip to Blackpool today and is expected to be handed the job until the summer.
- Alan Curbishley's name has been mentioned as a potential permanent appointment at the end of the season but the former Charlton and West Ham manager is not believed to be tempted by a move to such a volatile environment.
Hart could be offered the chance of a reunion with Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane, having been appointed head of Portsmouth's youth set-up during the Tottenham manager's second spell at Fratton Park.
- Hart leaves QPR in 10th place in the Championship, four points off the play-off places. Mail