Jim Magilton for QPR - 14 years ago first heard...Formally appointed 2 weeks later
Daily Mail - 19th May 2009
QPR turn to former Ipswich boss Magilton as ex-Spurs star Calderwood loses out Jim Magilton is in line to make a quick return to management with QPR.
Magilton, who was sacked by Ipswich last month, is due to have talks with the club today (Tuesday) and is expected to be given the nod over Colin Calderwood.
Former Tottenham and Scotland defender Calderwood, who is on the coaching staff at Newcastle, met with Rangers owner Flavio Briatore but Magilton is believed to be the Italian's first choice.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1184522/QPR-turn-Ipswich-boss-Magilton-ex-Spurs-star-Calderwood-loses-out.html?ITO=1490 DAILY MAIL - By Simon Jones
Last updated at 10:46 PM on 19th May 2009
Warning: This job could damage your future, Jim Jim Magilton is primed for a swift return to football with one of the most precarious jobs in Britain - manager of Queens Park Rangers.
The richest club in the world have never been far from the headlines since the flamboyant Flavio Briatore completed his takeover in November 2007, and amiable Irishman Magilton, 40, will be well aware the job should carry a health warning.
Briatore, who co-owns the club with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and multibillionaire Lakshmi Mittal, has had three managers during his short tenure and their average shelf life is around seven months.
Magilton, sacked by fellow Championship club Ipswich less than a month ago, seems blind to the danger signs.
Luigi de Canio lasted seven months before returning to Italy; Magilton's friend, Iain Dowie, was sacked after 15 games; then former European Cup winner Paulo Sousa left after six months - days after complaining that striker Dexter Blackstock had been loaned to Nottingham Forest without his say-so and amid accusations that Briatore was interfering too much.
Sousa has still to resolve his controversial departure from Loftus Road.
Although young and ambitious, Magilton, sadly, will not cut a dash with frustrated Rangers supporters who have yearned for a big-name appointment.
Roberto Mancini, Sven Goran Eriksson and Darren Ferguson have been mentioned in the past. Indeed, the fans believe that while there is no doubt Briatore has brought glamour back to one of London's finest clubs, most of it sits in the main stand among his match-day entourage.
Briatore's bold takeover boast that he hoped to be competing in the Champions League within four years rings hollow at the moment.
Rises in ticket prices, perceived lack of investment in players and a series of leaks revealing an alleged heavy-handed management style have failed to endear the Italian businessman to disgruntled fans, who expected much more of their wealthy owners.
Ipswich sacked Magilton believing he had failed in his task to achieve promotion on the back of substantial investment for a Championship club. They have since turned to Roy Keane, himself linked to QPR at one stage.
Magilton recognises the opportunity. Attractive football has always been the domain of a midfield maestro schooled at Liverpool in the Kenny Dalglish years.
If he can combine that with a concerted push for promotion then he will have Briatore right behind him. Maybe he will prefer that to being in front of him.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1184623/Warning-This-job-damage-future-Jim.html?ITO=1490QPR OFFICIAL SITE June 2, 2009
MAGILTON ARRIVALQPR Official Site EXCLUSIVE: MAGILTON APPOINTED - Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Magilton as the Club's new Manager.
- The 40 year-old, who made over 50 appearances for Northern Ireland during an illustrious playing career for both Club and country, has put pen to paper on a two year deal at Loftus Road.
- Speaking exclusively to
www.qpr.co.uk, QPR Holdings Ltd Chairman, Flavio Briatore, expressed his delight at Magilton's arrival, commenting: "We had an incredibly high number of applicants, but Jim was the stand-out candidate for the role.
- "We (the Board) sat down with him on four separate occasions over the last month to discuss our goals and ambitions and he has really impressed myself, Mr Ecclestone, Mr Mittal and Mr Bhatia with his knowledge, understanding and passion for football.
- "He did a very good job at Ipswich Town, playing some fine, attacking football, and he has great ambition to achieve in this next chapter of his managerial career. We are all really looking forward to working with him."
- Magilton enjoyed three seasons at the helm at Portman Road, inspiring the Tractor Boys to an eighth place finish in season 2007/08, before guiding them towards a comfortable top-half finish prior to his departure in April.
- Speaking exclusively to
www.qpr.co.uk, the R's new boss said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of managing this great Football Club.
- "The Board are highly ambitious, but they are very realistic at the same time. I have huge ambitions to achieve as a Manager though, and our aim is to keep progressing, year after year.
- "There is a very strong group of players at the Club and with one or two additions over the summer, we can expect to be in a position to drastically improve upon the eleventh place finish secured last season."
Magilton will be joined at the Club by a new Assistant Manager in
the coming weeks.
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR
GUARDIAN - Wed 3 Jun 2009
QPR appoint Jim Magilton manager on two-year deal
• Former Ipswich manager was 'stand-out candidate'
• Magilton 'really looking forward to the challenge'
Queens Park Rangers have appointed the former Ipswich manager Jim Magilton on a two-year contract to replace Paulo Sousa, with the chairman Flavio Briatore describing him as "the stand-out candidate for the job".
The 40-year-old, who spent three seasons at Portman Road before being sacked in April for failing to secure a play-off place, has signed a two-year deal at Loftus Road, and becomes the fifth permanent manager since the new owners arrived in October 2007. John Gregory, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa have all come and gone, as have caretakers Mick Harford and Gareth Ainsworth, who has been at the helm twice.
Briatore said: "We had an incredibly high number of applicants, but Jim was the stand-out candidate for the role. We sat down with him on four separate occasions over the last month to discuss our goals and ambitions and he has really impressed myself, Mr [Bernie] Ecclestone, Mr [Lakshmi] Mittal and Mr [Amit] Bhatia with his knowledge, understanding and passion for football.
"He did a very good job at Ipswich, playing some fine, attacking football, and he has great ambition to achieve in this next chapter of his managerial career. We are all really looking forward to working with him."
Speaking to the club's website, Magilton said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of managing this great football club. The board are highly ambitious, but they are very realistic at the same time. I have huge ambitions to achieve as a manager, though, and our aim is to keep progressing, year after year.
"There is a very strong group of players at the club and with one or two additions over the summer, we can expect to be in a position to improve drastically upon the eleventh-place finish secured last season.
www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/03/qpr-magilton-manager-briatore{and then...
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
SUSPENDED -CLUB STATEMENT - December 9, 2009The Club can confirm that Manager Jim Magilton has been suspended with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation.
The suspension relates to an incident which occurred at Monday's Championship fixture against Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.
JIM MAGILTON
DEPARTURE - CLUB STATEMENT
Wed 16 Dec 2009The Club can confirm that Jim Magilton and John Gorman have left Queens Park Rangers by mutual consent.
Recent events have been widely reported and whilst Jim Magilton completely denies the allegations, with the full support of John Gorman, it has been agreed that it is in the best interests of the Club and Jim Magilton, if the parties move on in their separate ways.
The Club would like to wish both Jim Magilton and John Gorman good luck in the future and thank them for their hard work.