Post by Macmoish on Feb 6, 2024 16:53:37 GMT
www.qpr.co.uk/news/2024/february/06/ceo-christian-nourry-on-january-work/
CEO Christian Nourry has reflected on the work conducted by the club during the January transfer window.
Michael Frey (pictured below) joined QPR permanently, followed this week by Lucas Andersen, while Isaac Hayden and Joe Hodge have moved to W12 on loan for the remainder of the season from Newcastle United and Wolves respectively.
Nourry, who himself joined the club three weeks’ ago, said at the time of his arrival that QPR were not in a position to strengthen the squad for the second half of the campaign.
“When I arrived at the club, the view was that any incomings were going to be very, very difficult to achieve owing to the financial fair play situation that we have, which everyone is aware of,” he said.
“It was whether there were possibilities for player movement out which would then enable us to reinvest some of that money, albeit a limited amount, back into the squad to try to give this club and the fans a boost as we work to build something exciting here.”
That was achieved through the loan departures of Andre Dozzell (Birmingham), Stephen Duke McKenna (Sutton United), Charlie Kelman (Wigan) and Deon Woodman (Wealdstone).
Ian Randall Photography
“That’s the first part of the equation,” Nourry said.
“The second part is that the January transfer window, when you look at the historical deal flow data, is very challenging to find the right players that can make an immediate impact, the sort of impact that we want to see.
“Successful January signings tend to come down to personality profile, and what the objectives are of the players who have come in.
“I feel very fortunate to say that the four players we have signed have all shown immense, immense desire to be here with us despite our league position when, frankly, all of them had approaches and offers from other teams in this division.
“I must also show my thanks to Wolves and Newcastle for working with us to find a way for Joe and Isaac to have the opportunity to play for us, whilst taking into account our financial situation.”
Frey completed his move from Royal Antwerp while Andersen joined Rangers after leaving Aalborg.
The contract lengths for both were not confirmed in the announcements, and Nourry explained: “We are in a unique context. I don’t care whether you have four years or four months remaining on your contract. We are all going into battle together for a common goal which is to attempt to keep this club in the Championship.
“The club’s policy on all contracts going forward is simple. We won’t be making an announcement on their lengths.
“We know what we are working towards with each player’s situation and we understand where the development of those contracts can go.
“But I think it is important for the club as an institution to work as hard and as smart in the market as possible, and that includes taking this step for strategic purposes.”
Nourry also discussed how the approach behind player identification has worked, and why it can differ in January to that of a summer transfer window.
“The process has worked well between a data screen, video and live scouting screen, the deal-making reality and my perspective,” he said.
“We were then able to compile a list of names in the positions we wanted to strengthen, and sit down – myself, the recruitment department and Martí (Cifuentes) – to discuss what we do.
“Due to the nature of some of these signings, in this case the two loans which are short-term, it was vital that we were all completely aligned in the view they could add value.
“It’s important to note that there will be a demarcation between what happens in January and what happens going forward, as we will have more time as a collective to prepare, but I am delighted to say that everybody played an important part in the recruitment process, and, given our financial context, we are all happy with how things have gone.”
Following the closure of the window, Nourry has been pleased with the efforts to complete the four signings, adding: “I have found that everybody here at the club cares so deeply and, when provided with clear direction, is willing to work as hard as necessary to get things done.
“I am grateful to everyone; the board; the recruitment team; the performance and medical team; the legal admin; they have all worked exceptionally hard to enable us to get these transfers across the line.
“We must all do what we can – staff and fans – to get behind Martí and the squad between now and the end of the season.”