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QPR's Pre-Season Calendar
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Adel Taarabt Not to QPR?
Snippet from the Daily Mail: West Ham, meanwhile, are also interested in Tottenham's Adel Taarabt, 21, who was on loan at QPR last season. Mail
Tosic to Celtic?
Scotsman "Celtic are looking at Swedish international Behrang Safari and Serbian defender Dusko Tosic as new boss Neil Lennon adds to his ever-growing wish list .... And Tosic's agents confirmed last night that they have opened talks after the player left QPR at the end of the season and is a free agent. (Daily Express) Scotsman
Paul Warburton/Fulham Chronicle - Lee Cook's QPR future in the balance
- He is getting married tomorrow – but the future of QPR hero Lee Cook is far from assured. The fans favourite may well tie the knot only to find he could be divorcing his beloved club before the new campaign starts.
- Boss Neil Warnock admitted that pre-season for the left-sided midfielder, who cost £1.2million when brought back from Fulham in 2008, would be pivotal.
- He said: “I need to divide teams up and play friendlies that allows me to have a good look at everybody. “One thing’s for sure, I plan to get in more new players – and not all the current squad is going to stay. They won’t get a game – and that’s no good to anybody.”
- Cook, who often totes up to 14 of his Rangers-supporting family to home games, has suffered his fair share of injuries over the last two campaigns and was restricted to a mere eight starts last season. The dead ball specialist scored just once against Derby in the 1-1 draw at Loftus Road on March 23. Fulham Chronicle
- 25 Years Ago Today: QPR Appointed Jim Smith QPR Manager
- QPR Have a New Finance Director: Rebecca Caplehorn. She takes over from Gavin Taylor)
FLASHBACK TO DUNGA and QPR
As Dunga prepares to coach Brazil possibly to the World Cup Final, a flashback to when Dunga was a Director of and investor in, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club in the English Championship.
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Carlos Dunga and QPR
August 2004: -Soccernet " Dunga revealed as QPR benefactor
Brazilian World Cup-winning captain Dunga has been revealed as one of the benefactors pumping money into QPR.
Rangers chairman Bill Power has confirmed that the star is a backer of Barnaby Holdings, the firm hoping to take a 29.9% stake in the Loftus Road club.
The company recently acquired 10% of the club's shares and is likely to make a further investment in the next two weeks, increasing the stake by a further 19.9%, reports the club's official website.
Power is clearly excited at such high-profile interest, as well as the £1.7million it could bring the club.
'Dunga is part of a football consortium that has shown a real desire to be involved in what we are doing here at QPR and I believe that their investment underlines what excellent progress we are making as a club,' he said.
'I'm thrilled to welcome a former player of the very highest calibre to Loftus Road - his standing and achievements in the game are there for all to see.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=307947&cc=5739
Evening Standard Dunga shares in lofty ambitions for Rangers
Aug 24, 2004 by WAYNE VEYSEY
BRAZIL World Cup-winning captain Dunga is set to attend his first Queens Park Rangers match within weeks.
The football great has emerged as one of the figures behind the Monacobased consortium poised to buy nearly a third of Queens Park Rangers.
Barnaby Holdings has already purchased 10 per cent of the club's shares, worth around Pounds 550,000, and are hoping to wrap up another 19.9 per cent in the next fortnight.
Dunga, 40, is one of five men who have invested equally in the club.
The former Fiorentina and Stuttgart midfielder didn't join his fellow investors, three Italians and a Frenchman, at Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Derby and will not attend tonight's Carling Cup game against Swansea.
But Rangers chairman Bill Power said it was only a matter of time before the Brazilian, who won 90 caps before retiring from international football after the 1998 World Cup, makes his first visit to Loftus Road.
"Dunga is definitely coming to watch some games," Power said. "All the investors were sent a DVD of the highlights of last season - whether or not it has impressed them I don't know."
Majority shareholder Gianni Paladini and director Kevin McGrath went to Monaco a fortnight ago to tie up the deal and were introduced to Dunga.
"He doesn't speak much English, but they said he was courteous, polite and charming," Power added. "He knew all about QPR and has shown a real desire to be involved.
"I am thrilled to welcome a former player of the very highest calibre to Loftus Road."
Meanwhile, Ian Holloway has vowed to put out a full-strength team for tonight's home game against Swansea.
"I don't have the luxury of resting or rotating any player at the moment," the Rangers manager said.
"We will be going for the win against Swansea." AP
(c)2004. Associated Newspapers Ltd..
August 2005: Dunga Flies in for The Bill Power/Ouster Board Meeting
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Tom DartQueens Park Rangers 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0EVEN by Ian Holloway’s unmatched standards it was an extraordinary post-match press conference. The Queens Park Rangers manager launched an impassioned defence of his club and their two feuding directors after last night’s dull goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.Bill Power, the chairman, was removed from his post, and Mark Devlin, the chief executive, was sacked after Gianni Paladini, a director, ousted Power at a board meeting on Wednesday with the help of Carlos Dunga, the former Brazil captain, who flew in from Japan to vote.Holloway said that the uncertainty was affecting his players and used the analogy of a dysfunctional family. Given that a director is alleged to have been involved in the threatening of Paladini at gunpoint before the previous home game, dysfunctional may be an understatement.“......
.Power intends to challenge his removal on the basis that Dunga, although a director, was ineligible to vote. ..http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,435-1752939,00.html
The Sun - Gianni in Power at QPR -By VIC HOLLYGIANNI
PALADINI has seized control of QPR — with former Brazil captain Carlos Dunga’s help.The Italian director was recently alleged to have been threatened by an armed gang at Loftus Road.But yesterday Paladini ousted chairman Bill Power and claimed victory in a bitter struggle for control of the club.Dunga represents a Monaco-based group that owns a stake in Rangers and little had been heard of him since he was made a director last year.But he stunned lifelong fan Power by flying in from Japan and voting with Paladini at a crunch board meeting.Power, hugely popular among fans and club staff, was voted out and chief executive Mark Devlin sacked. .” The Sun
Dunga will face QPR shareholders
Dunga helped Gianni Paladini take control of QPR
Carlos Dunga will face shareholders at Queens Park Rangers' Annual General Meeting on Friday.
The former Brazil captain became a QPR director in 2004 as part of a Monaco-based group that later staged a boardroom coup at Loftus Road.
Dunga did not attend board meetings prior to using his vote to help Gianni Paladini oust Bill Power as chairman.
"I take my role as a director of QPR seriously and look forward to appearing in front of shareholders," said Dunga.
"Myself and the other directors have put money into the club to help it survive and will continue to do so."
Paladini has faced scepticism from some fans since Power and chief executive Mark Devlin were removed following a series of boardroom disagreements.
Rangers are heavily in debt and several behind-the-scenes changes have been made since Paladini took control along with Antonio Caliendo.
Both men are former agents and Paladini has defended their running of the club.
Paladini said: "Can anyone say QPR aren't in a better position than when I came in two years ago?
"The losses are reduced and we are in a position to move forward. Everything is settled and we just want to get on with running the club.
"This board have invested over £8m. Yes, some of that has been used to buy shares, but that is how much has been paid and that shows commitment." BBC
MAY 2006 Sporting Life: " DIRECTOR DUNGA EYEING PLAY-OFFS "
"As Brazil legend Dunga believes QPR are capable of reaching the play-offs next season after becoming a director at Loftus Road.Dunga - who captained Brazil to victory in the 1994 World Cup - was appointed a non-executive director of the club in September last year, when Gianni Paladini took over as chairman."We need to look at getting into the play-offs," Dunga told the club's official website. "This is a big club, and it is what the fans want."The most important thing is to build foundations here. You cannot always be changing from one day to the next."At any club, a manager needs to be given the chance to work effectively."http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/qpr/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/06/05/26/manual_160354.html&TEAMHD=qpr&DIV=nat1&TEAM=QPR&RH=QPR&PREV_SEASON=
May 2006: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - EXCLUSIVE: DUNGA SPEAKS
It's the interview they all wanted, but only we got. Over the course of the next few days, QPR World speaks exclusively to Carlos Dunga.The Brazilian World Cup winner and QPR non-executive director took time out from his hectic Soccer Aid schedule to give a candid interview about life with the Superhoops and his thoughts on the forthcoming FIFA World Cup finals in Germany.The midfield maestro will line-up for Ruud Gullit's 'Rest of the World' side against Terry Venables' England in the Soccer Aid showdown at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.But he had time to speak to QPR World about his role on the board at Loftus Road; his thoughts on the forthcoming Coca Cola Championship campaign; and also revealed his favourites for the summer showcase in Germany.And as if we needed another big name to add to the mix, Gustavo Poyet is our translator in this exclusive QPR World interview.Dunga happily pulled on the Hoops and Poyet was full of praise for the new away kit.Even the big names can't get enough of QPR World! QPR
QPR OFFICIAL SITE July 2006 - CARLOS DUNGA
New Brazil boss Carlos Dunga has tendered his resignation as non-executive director of the R's. Dunga - who joined QPR in September 2004 - was named as Brazil's new boss on Monday evening....Speaking from the Club's first team training camp in Italy, R's Chairman Gianni Paladini said: "Dunga has resigned with immediate effect.'' Paladini continued: "I'd like to wish him all the best and thank him for everything he has done for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.'' Dunga will continue to be a QPR shareholder for the time being. QPR
Thursday, July 27, 2006 - QPR Holding Chairman, Antonio Caliendo Statement re QPR Post-Dunga-In the wake of widespread and further inaccurate reporting, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, Antonio Caliendo, would like to issue the following statement:
"Despite Carlos Dunga tendering his resignation as a non-executive director on Tuesday, he will continue to support the Club financially.
"The Board's objective remains the same as it always has been - to get QPR back on a sound financial footing and in time, a return to the Premiership.
"I want to reassure the shareholders and supporters that we are doing everything possible to achieve that goal.
"We have invested wisely in the squad this summer and I believe we are in a fantastic position to challenge in the top half of the Championship.
"Last season was a very difficult time for the Board. Since September, we've put in over £4million to ensure the Club's finances are in a stable position to build for the future.
"As a Board, we aim to keep our promise of not selling our best players. Obviously there are certain clauses in players' contracts which means we have to allow them to speak to other Clubs, but our aim is the Premiership and to achieve this we need to keep all our best players.
"The Dan Shittu situation is a perfect example. The bottom line is that we want to keep Danny at the Club. He's a fantastic professional and a tremendous player, but if we receive a £3million bid then he has the freedom to talk to whoever comes in for him.
"We love Queens Park Rangers and we are doing everything possible to safeguard the prestige of this wonderful Club.
"Together, there is only one voice - We Are QPR.'' QPR
July 2006 - After missing QPR targets, Dunga has switched tribes
Evening Standard (London), Jul 26, 2006 by WAYNE VEYSEY
FROM director of Queens Park Rangers to manager of Brazil.
That is some quantum leap for Carlos Dunga, the midfield footsoldier who lifted the 1994 World Cup and has now been trusted with guiding Brazil to the top of the tree in South Africa in 2010.
It is an extraordinary show of faith from the five-times winners, given that Dunga has no managerial experience and has turned down dozens of offers to move into coaching since retiring seven years ago.
A knock-on effect of the 42-year-old's appointment is that he has resigned as a non-executive director at QPR - even though he was not required to do so under FIFA rules.
Rangers say Dunga will continue to be a shareholder "for the time being" but it seems only a matter of the i's being dotted and t's being crossed before the final whistle is blown on one of English football's most bizarre relationships.
The Brazilian icon became involved with QPR 22 months ago when he emerged as the figurehead for two mysterious Monaco-based consortia, Barnaby and Wanlock, who had invested Pounds 1.7million for a 30 per cent stake in the club. But what exactly has he contributed to the Super Hoops?
Still instantly recognisable with the buzz-cut hairstyle that he paraded as one of football's most reliable midfield enforcers, Dunga was greeted with enthusiasm by supporters when he first arrived at Shepherds Bush.
He explained he had been persuaded to come on board by his friends at Barnaby, who included QPR kingpin Antonio Caliendo, a former football agent, and looked forward to being an ambassador for the club, promoting their name across the globe and using his South American contacts to alert them of any top young talent. In an interview with Standard Sport, Dunga displayed a deft touch in public relations by naming all the Loftus Road heroes of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s.
Some were sceptical of his involvement but others appreciated the muchneeded glitz and glamour he brought to Loftus Road, qualities which had been absent in the post-administration era.
There were fears that Dunga had been recruited to unseat manager Ian Holloway but the multilingual Brazilian stressed he had no ambitions in that field, ironic as that now appears.
"I've got no intention of being a football manager," he explained. "I get phone calls every week from clubs asking me to be their manager. In Brazil, I've been asked three or four time this season to manage Flamengo."
However, Dunga was to have little time for QPR in a hectic schedule that centred on his work as an ambassador for the Brazilian national team and consultant to one of his former clubs, Jubilo Iwata in Japan.
He went to only a handful of Rangers games in two years and failed to bring in any South American talent, blaming work permit restrictions on the players.
When quizzed by one supporter at last year's AGM what he actually brought to the Loftus Road plate, Dunga was evasive before chairman Gianni Paladini leapt to his defence, claiming: "He brought in money to save this club, that's what he has helped with."
The former Fiorentina and Stuttgart star was one of five men said to have invested equal sums of around Pounds 500,000 in QPR, a shareholding that now stands at 49 per cent.
Yet it would appear not to be a match made in heaven for Dunga, who cynics suggest may have been recruited by the Monaco consortia as a frontman to appease supporters dubious of investment from unknown foreigners.
Apart from the cash and the publicity, it seems his legacy to Rangers will prove to be the role he played in ousting Bill Power and Mark Devlin, the former chairman and chief executive, from the board last summer.
This dramatic coup ultimately paved the way for Paladini and Caliendo, now a director, to assume full control at the cash- strapped club.
Dunga had not attended any of the previous six board meetings before he flew into London to use his casting vote to axe Devlin and Power. Maybe it was that kind of ruthlessness which so impressed the powerbrokers at the Brazil Football Federation.
Brazil Star in a nutshell
After missing QPR targets, Dunga has switched tribes Brazil star in a nutshell Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (nicknamed Dunga, which is Portuguese for Dopey) Born: 31 October, 1963, Rio Grande do Sul Position: midfielder Clubs: Internacional (1980-84, 1999-2000), Corinthians (1984-85), Santos (1986-87), Vasco da Gama (1987), Pisa (1987-88), Fiorentina (1988-92), Pescara (1992-93), VfB Stuttgart (1993-95), Jubilo Iwata (1995-98) International career: Brazil (1987- 98) - 91 games, six goals; led country to 1994 World Cup triumph Post-retirement: QPR director 2004-2006, Appointed Brazil head coach July 2006 Standard
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