Dowie doubts sack for success

QPR boss expects to stay at helm

Last updated: 4th August 2008

Iain Dowie QPR

Dowie: QPR boss

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QPR manager Iain Dowie has rejected claims he will step aside at the end of the season if he secures promotion to the Premier League.

Dowie was appointed manager at Loftus Road in May, taking charge of the club where he ended his career and spent a previous brief stint as caretaker boss before working as No.2 to Gerry Francis.

The Rs are among the favourites for the Championship title as they are backed by the combined financial muscle of Formula One duo Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, and Lakshmi Mittal, reputed to be the fourth-richest person in the world.

France legend Zinedine Zidane was linked with the hot-seat before Dowie's appointment, and there has been further speculation that the former Oldham and Coventry boss is merely a stop-gap appointment.

Dowie has refuted suggestions that he can expect to be jettisoned should promotion to the top-flight be achieved, but accepts that there can be no guarantees in the world of football.

Bizarre

He told The Times: "It's a bizarre scenario. I've never had that discussion and it's certainly not in my contract. I don't need to dignify it with a response.

"If we get promoted and that happens - que sera. Move on. It's not the worst thing to happen on your CV, is it? I'm not worried."

Dowie's most recent experience of top-flight management was an ill-fated 15-game stint with Charlton, where he was axed before Christmas with the Addicks struggling against the drop.

He also guided Crystal Palace to the top-flight via the play-offs in 2005 and then came within minutes of keeping them up before conceding a late equaliser at, ironically, Charlton which ultimately sent them down on the final day.

And Dowie believes he has shown his strength of character by recovering from any hard times he has faced, on and off the field.

Adversity

He added: "They (Charlton) made a decision, fair enough. You live with it. That's business. I'm not bitter.

"Of course it hurts, but you either go in the corner and cower or you come out and be strong.

"Character's about how you cope with adversity. I lost my mum recently. Other things pale into insignificance.

"It's a learning experience and I'm a better manager for them."

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