Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Neil Warnock after a disappointing first half to the season.
Rangers board decide to axe manager
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Neil Warnock after a disappointing first half to the season.
Speculation over Warnock's future has been growing for the last few days after owner Tony Fernandes revealed on Twitter no job was safe at Loftus Road.
QPR currently sit just one point above the drop zone after failing to win any of their last eight Premier League games and they only avoided an early exit in the FA Cup after a last-minute goal from Heidar Helgusson rescued a 1-1 draw at MK Dons.
Despite spending heavily at the end of the summer transfer window, QPR have struggled on their return to the top flight and have picked up just 17 points from 20 games.
Warnock took charge at Loftus Road in March 2010 and after securing their Championship status he guided the club to promotion in his first full season in charge.
The 63-year-old guided his side to the Championship title and hopes were high QPR would enjoy a successful campagin back in the Premier League.
However, while fellow new boys Norwich and Swansea have flourished Rangers have struggled to make an impact in the first half of the campaign and the club's board has decided to act.
Not taken lightly
Confirming that Warnock had left the club, along with assistant manager Mick Jones and first team coach Keith Curle, Fernandes insisted it had been a tough call.
Fernandes told QPR's
official website: "This decision has been made in the best interests of the club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that was made lightly.
"Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the board felt it was the right time to make a change.
"Neil has acted with honesty, professionalism and integrity throughout his time at the club, and I would personally like to thank him for his significant contribution to QPR over the last 22 months.
"I genuinely wish him all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome back at Loftus Road."
Heavy heart
QPR vice-chairman Amit Bhatia added: "It is with a very heavy heart that we make this announcement.
"I played a key role in bringing Neil to Loftus Road and consider him to be a close personal friend and a great professional.
"I would like to place on the record my thanks to him for transforming us from a Championship club to a Premier League club.
"As a club we have gained enormously from Neil's wisdom, experience and leadership. He has always performed his managerial duties to the very highest of standards.
"I wish Neil every success going forward and he will always be welcome at QPR.
"I now look forward to the future and the rest of the season as we work towards stabilising our position in the Premier League."
Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce have been mentioned as early contenders to replace Warnock at the helm.
