Post by QPR Report on Apr 15, 2009 7:14:45 GMT
From our shirt sponsors home base
Gulf Weekly - Stan Szecowka - ALL CHANGE AT RANGERS
Gulf Air-sponsored Queens Park Rangers hope to secure a place in the Premiership next season with a new manager ... and a new look.
The London club has sacked Portuguese boss Paulo Sousa after just 26 games in charge, claiming he divulged sensitive information.
In a statement, QPR executives said they took legal advice before acting to 'protect their position'.
Sousa, 38, took charge in November, but won only seven games as his side slid to 10th in the Championship table and, as far as points are concerned, well off the play-offs for a cherished place in the Premiership.
GulfWeekly today unveils the new strip the side will wear for the first time at the final home fixture of the season against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, April 25.
The shirt features the iconic Blue and White Hoops, and - back by popular demand - the symbolic white shorts worn during the club's glory years in the 1970s.
Club Captain Martin Rowlands is a huge advocate of the new kit and said: "The Blue and White Hoops are the iconic image of QPR and the designers have got it spot on with this new kit.
"Lotto have done a fantastic job with the materials and the cut of the shirt and I'm sure the fans will be as delighted as all the players are with the new design."
Striker Rowan Vine echoed Rowlands's sentiments, adding: "The players love the new home kit.
"The home shirt is symbolic of Queens Park Rangers Football Club, with the Hoops on show, and the lads love the white shorts too, so we're glad they're back.
"We're all really looking forward to wearing the new kit for the first time against Plymouth later this month."
Deputy managing director Ali Russell said: "It has been a pleasure working with Lotto Sport Italia in developing these new designs. I would personally like to thank them for becoming more and more involved and impactful as the Official Technical Sponsor and Supplier of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
"Last year, under extremely tight deadlines, Lotto Sport Italia worked exceptionally hard to help us design a new, modern and fashionable kit, integrating our new sponsors and Club crest. This time we were able spend more time on some of the finer details of the shirt and ensure our sponsors have maximum standout on the design."
The new home jersey retains the traditional hoops in reflex blue and white, but this year, the Lotto Sport Italia logo is positioned at the top centre of the jersey, with the QPR Club Crest situated half an inch below. The Gulf Air logo is now placed within the blue hoops, matching the signage around the club's Loftus Road stadium.
Gulf Air's director of marketing Jon Barnett said: "We have worked closely with QPR to enhance Gulf Air's visibility, both in the stadium and also on the new kit, and we are delighted with the results.
"Gulf Air is proud to be the shirt sponsor and official airline partner of QPR and wishes the club and the players every success for the forthcoming campaign."
QPR chairman and co-owner Flavio Briatore has now had four managers and two caretakers in a year-and-a-half.
Sousa's departure comes after coach Bruno Oliveira had his contract at Loftus Road terminated last Monday.
Player coach Gareth Ainsworth has taken charge of the side for the rest of the season, and started with a visit to Burnley on Saturday and a 1-0 defeat.
Sousa revealed last weekend that top-scorer Dexter Blackstock's loan move to Nottingham Forest had been agreed without his knowledge.
"It is a decision for the board and only they can answer it. I'm not frustrated, I said from the first day I have to adapt and try to do my best with the players I have," he said after his side's goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
Sousa's predecessor Iain Dowie's 15-match spell with the side came to an end after he clashed with Briatore, who is also Renault's Formula 1 boss, over team selection. He now assists Alan Shearer at struggling Premiership side Newcastle United.
John Gregory and Luigi de Canio have had short-lived managerial stints during Briatore's 18 months at the helm after the Italian bought the club with a group of friends, including F1's billionaire supremo Bernie Ecclestone in September 2007.
Ainsworth, in a previous spell, and Mick Harford have also failed to persuade the Italian to promote them to full-time roles whilst filling caretaker positions.
www.gulfweeklyworldwide.com/article.asp?Sn=6436&Article=21896
Gulf Weekly - Stan Szecowka - ALL CHANGE AT RANGERS
Gulf Air-sponsored Queens Park Rangers hope to secure a place in the Premiership next season with a new manager ... and a new look.
The London club has sacked Portuguese boss Paulo Sousa after just 26 games in charge, claiming he divulged sensitive information.
In a statement, QPR executives said they took legal advice before acting to 'protect their position'.
Sousa, 38, took charge in November, but won only seven games as his side slid to 10th in the Championship table and, as far as points are concerned, well off the play-offs for a cherished place in the Premiership.
GulfWeekly today unveils the new strip the side will wear for the first time at the final home fixture of the season against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, April 25.
The shirt features the iconic Blue and White Hoops, and - back by popular demand - the symbolic white shorts worn during the club's glory years in the 1970s.
Club Captain Martin Rowlands is a huge advocate of the new kit and said: "The Blue and White Hoops are the iconic image of QPR and the designers have got it spot on with this new kit.
"Lotto have done a fantastic job with the materials and the cut of the shirt and I'm sure the fans will be as delighted as all the players are with the new design."
Striker Rowan Vine echoed Rowlands's sentiments, adding: "The players love the new home kit.
"The home shirt is symbolic of Queens Park Rangers Football Club, with the Hoops on show, and the lads love the white shorts too, so we're glad they're back.
"We're all really looking forward to wearing the new kit for the first time against Plymouth later this month."
Deputy managing director Ali Russell said: "It has been a pleasure working with Lotto Sport Italia in developing these new designs. I would personally like to thank them for becoming more and more involved and impactful as the Official Technical Sponsor and Supplier of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
"Last year, under extremely tight deadlines, Lotto Sport Italia worked exceptionally hard to help us design a new, modern and fashionable kit, integrating our new sponsors and Club crest. This time we were able spend more time on some of the finer details of the shirt and ensure our sponsors have maximum standout on the design."
The new home jersey retains the traditional hoops in reflex blue and white, but this year, the Lotto Sport Italia logo is positioned at the top centre of the jersey, with the QPR Club Crest situated half an inch below. The Gulf Air logo is now placed within the blue hoops, matching the signage around the club's Loftus Road stadium.
Gulf Air's director of marketing Jon Barnett said: "We have worked closely with QPR to enhance Gulf Air's visibility, both in the stadium and also on the new kit, and we are delighted with the results.
"Gulf Air is proud to be the shirt sponsor and official airline partner of QPR and wishes the club and the players every success for the forthcoming campaign."
QPR chairman and co-owner Flavio Briatore has now had four managers and two caretakers in a year-and-a-half.
Sousa's departure comes after coach Bruno Oliveira had his contract at Loftus Road terminated last Monday.
Player coach Gareth Ainsworth has taken charge of the side for the rest of the season, and started with a visit to Burnley on Saturday and a 1-0 defeat.
Sousa revealed last weekend that top-scorer Dexter Blackstock's loan move to Nottingham Forest had been agreed without his knowledge.
"It is a decision for the board and only they can answer it. I'm not frustrated, I said from the first day I have to adapt and try to do my best with the players I have," he said after his side's goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
Sousa's predecessor Iain Dowie's 15-match spell with the side came to an end after he clashed with Briatore, who is also Renault's Formula 1 boss, over team selection. He now assists Alan Shearer at struggling Premiership side Newcastle United.
John Gregory and Luigi de Canio have had short-lived managerial stints during Briatore's 18 months at the helm after the Italian bought the club with a group of friends, including F1's billionaire supremo Bernie Ecclestone in September 2007.
Ainsworth, in a previous spell, and Mick Harford have also failed to persuade the Italian to promote them to full-time roles whilst filling caretaker positions.
www.gulfweeklyworldwide.com/article.asp?Sn=6436&Article=21896