Ray Wilkins: Caretaker Les Ferdinand will take QPR chance 'with both hands'

QPR's caretaker manager Les Ferdinand will take his opportunity "with both hands", according to Ray Wilkins.

Former Rangers striker Ferdinand, now the club's head of football operations, has been put in temporary charge along with coach Chris Ramsey in the wake of Harry Redknapp's shock resignation.

The pair have been given that responsibility despite the presence on the payroll of more experienced coaches Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond - and a former England manager in Glenn Hoddle.

But Wilkins, who got his break as a manager at QPR in the mid-1990s, says the appointment of his former team-mate is "a good piece of business" on the part of owner Tony Fernandes.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Les is a QPR legend. There's an abundance of quality, but they've obviously chosen Les. He's a wonderful figurehead for club, and I'm sure in the background he's been working extremely hard. I wish him the best of luck."

Les had his grounding at Tottenham with Tim Sherwood - he's been at a massive club, and he'll be looking forward to it immensely. Everyone has to be given a chance - we all start off somewhere.

Ferdinand's most high-profile coaching job to date was as at Tottenham, where he and Ramsey assisted Tim Sherwood until his departure at the end of last season.

Sherwood is the early favourite with Sky Bet to replace Redknapp full-time, but Wilkins is not ruling out the prospect of Ferdinand making the job his own.

He said: "Les has had his grounding at Tottenham with Tim Sherwood - he's been at a massive club, and he'll be looking forward to it immensely.

"Everyone has to be given a chance - we all start off somewhere, and if Les is being given an opportunity to do so I'm sure he'll take it with both hands.

"It could be reversed roles - Tim working under Les - but I think Tim's looking for a first-team coach's job rather than to be a second.

"They've got an abundance of quality coaches there - Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond, and Glenn Hoddle's been out of the game far too long, as far as I'm concerned.

"But Les has had a massive experience at Tottenham, he's a great guy and I'm sure he knows his stuff. And Chris also is a very, very good football man - I've no qualms with it whatsoever."