Birmingham Mail - By Matt Lloyd Sep 17 2012
QPR insider backs Paladini for success if Birmingham City takeover goes through
A FILM director who charted Gianni Paladiniâs roller-coaster reign at Queens Park Rangers has backed him to succeed if he buys Birmingham City.
Mat Hodgson was behind the camera to cover the highs and lows of the Italianâs spell at QPR in his documentary The Four Year Plan.
The colourful film charted the hiring and firing of a string of managers as the London club tried to make it into the Premier League.
Hodgson, of Ad Hoc Films, said Paladini, who lives in Solihull, would be a âperfectâ fit for Blues. âGianni lives in the Midlands and I think he could bring a fresh energy and impetus to the club.
âHe is excellent at rousing investment and support. In particular he has a huge book of contacts from his time in the game both domestically and internationally.
âDespite the rocky road, QPR ended up getting promoted during his time at the club.
âBirmingham are a huge club with big gates and sponsorship opportunities to draw upon which would certainly help.
âAnd things can turn around extremely quickly in football.â
Hodgsonâs documentary laid bare the sometimes chaotic scenes in the QPR boardroom as managers came and went.
But he said, for all the tumult, Paladini worked hard behind the scenes to bring success.
âHe has a good nature, very friendly, illuminating and great company,â Hodgson said.
âHe does all he can to keep everyone happy, sometimes to his own detriment.
âGianni is definitely a football fan. This is probably best illustrated by his quest to get back into it following his departure from QPR.
âYou would struggle to find a more passionate man.
âHe did a lot for QPR and QPR did a lot for him, but I saw how he cared.
âI saw how he jeopardised his health during difficult periods, so I donât think his love for football or the club he is with could be questioned.â
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