Wednesday 11 February 2015 18:57, UK
Michael Laudrup is not in the running to be the next manager of QPR after confirming he will stay at his club in Qatar.
Laudrup, who is currently in charge of Qatari champions Lekhwiya, emerged as the bookmakers favourite on Tuesday night as talks with Tim Sherwood over the vacancy appeared to break down over contract terms.
QPR owner Tony Fernandes tweeted earlier in the day that he thought he had found his “dream manager” to fill the void created by Harry Redknapp’s decision to step down last week.
But Sky sources understand that former Swansea boss Laudrup was not the subject of that tweet and is not in the frame to take the managerial hotseat at Loftus Road.
And Laudrup confirmed on Wednesday afternoon to Danish media: "I’m going nowhere, I'm on contract with Lekhwiya until 30 June, the team is No 1, we are in Champions League in Asia so I'm staying in Qatar - very pleased that my name is on the list in other clubs but I'm not leaving Qatar now.”
At the beginning of this week Laudrup was linked with the vacant Japan national team manager’s post. Sky Sports News HQ spoke to the Dane’s representative Bayram Tutumulu on Tuesday night and he suggested a return to the Premier League may not be straightforward for Laudrup at this juncture.
“Laudrup is under contract with Qatari club Lekhwiya,” Tutumulu said.
“Out of respect anyone interested in him should contact the club. I don't think they would let him go because the team are in so many tournaments and competitions.”
QPR are understood to be considering a number of candidates for the vacancy, with caretaker boss Chris Ramsey still very much a contender for the job after guiding the R's to their first away win of the season against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
The club declined to comment on the speculation.
