11 Yrs Ago: QPR's Manager Search: Bassett, Bruce..

[QPR Report]

A decade Ago....QPR's Managerial Search

BBC-February 19, 2001 - Bassett snubs QPR job
Bassett does not want to succeed Gerry Francis - Dave Bassett, favourite to take over as QPR manager, has ruled himself out of the running.
It is believed Bassett was scared off by speculation concerning the club's finances.
The former Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Barnsley manager was widely tipped as being favourite to land the post vacated by Gerry Francis.
Marsh claims denied
Bassett's withdrawal leaves Iain Dowie, Steve Bruce, Roy McFarland and Ray Graydon, who are all also believed to be on Rangers' short-list, still in the running.
But Rangers have dismissed claims by former star Rodney Marsh that the club are £20m in debt.
Speaking to BBC Ceefax, a Loftus Road spokesman said: "The accounts are there and anybody can look at them.
"As a television pundit, Rodney Marsh is paid to say controversial things. We are not £20m in debt as the accounts show."
Meanwhile, Brentford owner Ron Noades is reported to be ready to sell the club, re-invest his money and take the reins at QPR.
The former Crystal Palace supremo is believed to by eyeing a return to the limelight, and could soon make QPR chief Chris Wright an offer for the Loftus Road club, according to the Daily Star.
Wright is willing to sell, after becoming a target for fans' abuse as the team battles against the threat of relegation.BBC


BBC - February 20, 2001 - Jewell plays down QPR link
Bruce is favourite to take the helm
Paul Jewell has played down speculation linking him with the vacant manager's post at Queen's Park Rangers.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss said he won't be rushed into a return so soon after getting the sack at Hillsborough.
I have had a quick chat with an official connected with the club which lasted two minutes at the most and that is as far as its gone
Paul Jewell
"I want to get back into the game, but I'm not going to jump at the first job that comes along," he said.
"I've read that I've been interviewed about the QPR job - but it's quite funny really because I was in bed all day on Monday with cold - so that was quite interesting.
"I have had a quick chat with an official connected with the club which lasted two minutes at the most and that is as far as its gone.
"But you can never say never, if it's right for me and it's the right job I would be interested."
Steve Bruce, Ian Holloway and Iain Dowie are all in the frame for the job with the Londoners.
Bruce has emerged as the hot favourite after Dave Bassett ruled himself out of the running on Monday. BBC


BBC - February 21, 2001 - QPR suffer Bruce snub
Steve Bruce has pulled out of the running for the QPR job.
The former Huddersfield Town boss was linked with the post following Gerry Francis' decision to stand down.
Rangers had been expected to unveil a new manager before the weekend but it now seems likely that Francis will still be in charge for the game against Wimbledon.
A statement released on behalf of Bruce said: "Further to discussions with the board of QPR, Steve Bruce has decided against having any further active discussion regarding the managerial position at the club.
I want to retire and I'm not going to change my mind
Gerry Francis
"The situation that Steve perceived as a long-term commitment seems to be clouded with uncertainty and Steve now understands that the club may be seeking a replacement only for the short term.
"On that basis Steve has decided to pull out but wishes to thank the board for their initial interest."
QPR have won twice - recording their first away win of the season against Gillingham on Tuesday - and have climbed out of the relegation zone since Francis announced his retirement from the game.
But the former England captain has made it clear that he has no intention of changing his mind despite the recent turnaround in the club's fortunes.
"I'm delighted with the six points we've gained in the last two games and obviously we are in a much better position now but my decision to go was never based on positions in the league," he said.
"I'm under no pressure from the board apart from the pressure to sign a new contract for next season but I've told them I don't want to do that. I want to retire and I'm not going to change my mind."
Former QPR midfielder Ian Holloway, recently sacked by Bristol Rovers, is thought to top the much-shortened candidate list. BBC

[QPR Report]

Culminating in...

BBC - February 26, 2001
QPR name Holloway as boss
Queens Park Rangers have named Ian Holloway as the new manager at Loftus Road.
Former QPR midfielder Holloway - sacked as Bristol Rovers boss last month - takes over from Gerry Francis who announced he was standing down 10 days ago.
I can't wait to take it on and I feel we can kick on from this
QPR boss Ian Holloway
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to take this challenge on and motivate some of these players.
"It was a huge part of my playing career and I felt so proud. Anybody that watched me play could see what I was - whole-hearted and determined.
"This is the biggest club I ever played for and what we achieved in those five years, I was delighted.
"I can't wait to take it on and I feel we can kick on from this."
Optimistic
Holloway has joined Rangers on a contract for the remainder of this season and the whole of next term with options for an extension.
He is optimistic that he can keep the struggling club in the First Division, but insists that it is not just down to him.
"The players have got to work hard and they'll get honesty and enthusiasm from me and hopefully that will rub off.
"We are fully realistic of where we are and what we've got to do."
The former Rovers boss takes charge of first-team affairs on Tuesday and will work alongside his former mentor Francis, who has become the club's director of football.
But Holloway's appointment - which Francis is widely reported to have supported - throws the future of Rangers' assistant manager Iain Dowie into doubt.
Dowie was desperate to take over but, having failed in his second bid to land the job, could be set to leave the club altogether especially if - as expected - Holloway brings in Gary Penrice as his assistant.

[QPR Report]

Which almost five years later ended with....

February 2006- HOLLOWAY ON GARDENING LEAVE

OFFICIAL SITECLUB STATEMENT
QPR have announced that Ian Holloway has been placed on 'gardening leave.'Gary Waddock has been appointed as caretaker manager and will be taking first team training as of today.Waddock is currently being consulted about a potential caretaker assistant manager to join him in the next few days.The move follows speculation about Holloway joining Leicester City as their new manager.The club is keen to avoid any distraction to the playing side and to move forward with the rest of the season as speedily as possible.It has therefore put Ian Holloway and his managerial staff, Gary Penrice and Tim Breacker, on gardening leave with immediate effect.Gary Waddock started at work on Monday morning in training with the players and in preparation for next Saturday's derby game against Millwall.
Gianni Paladini said: "QPR has not sacked Ian, but we are concerned about recent performances and the effect the speculation about Ian joining Leicester City might have on the players."I hope we can sort something out with Ian as soon as possible. QPR will always be enormously grateful for the contribution he has made over the past five years, in particular gaining promotion for us in 2004."However, it is crucial the team are focussed and able to move forward, which is why we have appointed Gary as Caretaker Manager. I hope the fans will get behind Gary for the home derby against Millwall on Saturday."http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~779128,00.html

"....Paladini added: "I hope we can sort something out with Ian as soon as possible."QPR will always be enormously grateful for the contribution he has made for the past five years, in particular gaining promotion for us in 2004."However, it is crucial the team are focused and able to move forward, which is why we have appointed Gary as caretaker manager.".

“He hasn’t been sacked — we will honour his contract until the end,” Paladini said, before explaining why Holloway will not stay in his post. “If a man is happily married, why would he look for another woman? If you get the opportunity to speak to someone, it’s your choice whether to go or to stay. But maybe it’s better for him to move. Once he applied for the job at Leicester, we felt he couldn’ t concentrate on our team. Ian has had a rollercoaster time here under very difficult circumstances. He’s done a tremendous job.”Holloway could not prevent QPR’s relegation from the second tier when he took over towards the end of the 2000-01 season, but he has since taken them up to mid-table in the Coca-Cola Championship. Jim Smith, a former manager of the club, has rejected the chance to assist Waddock, feeling that it would be inappropriate, given Holloway’s state of limbo....http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2030016,00.html

ClubcallPaladini on Holloway departure07 Feb 2006 16:23Queens Park Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has spoken of his reasons behind placing Ian Holloway on gardening leave and revealed the decision was taken after an approach from the Foxes for Holloway to take over at the Walkers Stadium.Paladini was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday where he confirmed that caretaker boss Gary Waddock is likely to remain in charge until the end of the season at Loftus Road and that the former Rangers player is a serious consider for the job on a full-timeWaddock has taken over from Holloway after the Rangers boss was the subject of an approach from Leicester last week and Paladini felt it was affecting the team: "I had a phonecall from Leicester the day after we played them last week asking for permission to speak to Ian," said Paladini."I told Ian and his agent and they wanted to speak to Leicester, so they did. It was very difficult because Ian has been fantastic for QPR over the last five years and it has been a privilege to work with him"My feeling was that if you are happily married why whould you look for another woman? I felt that it was better for us to move in a different direction and for him to maybe move on after a long time here. But I have nothing but praise for the man."Jim Smith has been linked with a role of Loftus Road but Paladini revealed he was only spoken to about the possibility of coming in to help out Waddock: "The idea was for Jim to come in on a consultancy basis. What we asked him to do for us he couldn't do it because he job was never offered to him as the manager," said Paladini."We felt he could come and help Gary but we could not offer him what he wanted and he has moved on. We wanted him to come in without a contract and to help it but things never happened." 217.158.112.238/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-230009-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html


PA Sport/Sporting LifeHOLLOWAY WILL NOT BE SACKEDBy Andy Sims, PA SportQPR chairman Gianni Paladini has admitted there is no way back for Ian Holloway at Loftus Road as he unveiled reserve-team coach Gary Waddock as the club's new caretaker manager.Holloway was put on 'gardening leave' by Paladini after asking permission to speak to Coca-Cola Championship rivals Leicester, who are in search of a new manager after sacking Craig Levein.Paladini also revealed he will not sack Holloway even if he is not offered the manager's role at Leicester, and if necessary would continue to pay the 42-year-old for the duration of his two-year contract."If a man is happily married why would he look for another woman?" said Paladini."If you get the opportunity to speak to someone it's your choice whether to go, or to stay."But maybe it's better for him to move, maybe he's been here too long. I don't blame him for looking."Once he applied for the job at Leicester we felt he couldn't concentrate on our team. Ian has had a rollercoaster time here under very difficult circumstances. He's done a tremendous job."But I spoke to Leicester on Wednesday, then spoke to his agent, and he went to see them."But he hasn't been sacked. We will honour his contract until the end."Paladini also revealed that Jim Smith had been offered a role at the club, but only in a consultancy capacity.Smith, who led Rangers to the Milk Cup final in 1986, turned down a position at Loftus Road, claiming it would be "politically incorrect"."Gary is caretaker manager and knows Jim well," Paladini added. "It was mainly consultancy that we asked him to do, we never asked him to be manager."It's a big job for Gary to take on, so getting Jim to come in might have been the right thing to do but we never discussed a position."But this is an opportunity for Gary to take charge. Hopefully he will do well."Waddock admitted he would like the role on a permanent basis and will be looking to make an instant impact."

www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/02/07/SOCCER_QPR_Nightlead.htmlBBC - QPR chief says no Holloway returnHolloway has two years left on his contract at QPRQPR chairman Gianni Paladini says there is no way back for former manager Ian Holloway at Loftus Road, but is adamant he will not sack him.Holloway was suspended on Monday for asking to speak to Leicester City about their vacant manager's job."Once he applied for the Leicester job we felt he could not concentrate on our team," Paladini said.Paladini added that Holloway will be paid for the rest of his two-year QPR contract if he does not get a new job.He added: "He hasn't been sacked. We will honour his contract until the end."Paladini felt Holloway's mind was no longer on the job at Loftus Road, saying: "If a man is happily married why would he look for another woman?"If you get the opportunity to speak to someone it's your choice whether to go, or to stay."Maybe it's better for him to move, maybe he's been here too long. I don't blame him for looking."Holloway cannot speak about his departure from QPR for legal reasons, but BBC Sport has tried unsuccessfully to contact his agent.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4690636.stm


SKY -Paladini: No way back for OllieBy Andy Clarke - Created on 7 Feb 2006...

And he says he is prepared to pay Holloway for the remainder of his contract if necessary and will not be sacking the former Bristol Rovers manager, even if Leicester do not offer him the job."If a man is happily married why would he look for another woman?" said Paladini."If you get the opportunity to speak to someone it's your choice whether to go, or to stay. But maybe it's better for him to move, maybe he's been here too long. I don't blame him for looking."Once he applied for the job at Leicester we felt he couldn't concentrate on our team. Ian has had a rollercoaster time here under very difficult circumstances. He's done a tremendous job."I spoke to Leicester on Wednesday, then spoke to his agent, and he went to see them. But he hasn't been sacked. We will honour his contract until the end."Smith has turned down Paladini's approach, at least for the time being, but could yet be back at the club he managed for three years in the 80s."Gary is caretaker manager and knows Jim well," Paladini said. "It was mainly consultancy that we asked him to do, we never asked him to be manager."It's a big job for Gary to take on, so getting Jim to come in might have been the right thing to do but we never discussed a position." HLID=361381&CPID=10&title=Paladini:+No+way+back+for+Ollie&lid=2&channel=Football_Home&f=rss#


Over a Hundred Applications for Holloway's Job
-[From Last week's Kilburn Times)Hats in the ring to follow Ollie Ben Kosky, Kilburn Times, 9 February 2006
"QPR have already received more than 100 applications for the manager's job - even though, technically, there is no vacancy at Loftus Road....Waddock will be caretaker boss for the foreseeable future but, according to chairman Gianni Paladini, Rangers have been inundated with interest from numerous would-be managers."I cannot believe the amount of applications I've received already," said Paladini. "There have been floods of them coming in from all over the world - it must be at least 100."I've had applications from France, Spain, Israel and I've even had one from a young lad who's 19 years of age. It just shows how important QPR is to so many people."But Paladini insists that, for the time being, Waddock is the front-runner to take over on a permanent basis - as long as he can guide Rangers to safety in the Championship.....Gary's got 14 games, we only need to win four of them and we'll be safe, then we can start building for next season," Paladini added.....

[QPR Report]

After Gianni Paladini had previously said....

SEPTEMBER 2005 QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT - BRIGHT FUTURE
"Gianni Paladini has promised a bright future for Queens Park Rangers following the changes at Boardroom level last week. ...
"...Paladini also believes that the root of stability lies with the manager and that is why he hopes to sit down with Ian Holloway this week to discuss a new contract. "Ollie is responsible for so much that has happened here during the past few years. Our successes on the pitch are down to him and he should be rewarded accordingly." www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~706682,00.html

LSA Meeting with Paladini- September 5 2005
LSA reported: " A Member asked why we are considering offering Ian Holloway a longer contract when he has only just signed one for three years. GP said that Ian Holloway wants another two years on his contract. www.qpr-lsa.co.uk/05setpoct.html

QPR 1st Meeting with Paladini - September 15 2005
"Ian Holloway was inevitably mentioned at one stage, with TS showing GP a print out of the article that had appeared on the BBC website that very day regarding his proposed new role and asked if it were true. GP, who had not seen the article, read through it briefly and confirmed that the article was the gist of what they were negotiating, saying that basically IH would have control over which players come into the club, whilst Gianni himself would deal with the agent part of any deal/transfer seeing as he is experienced in that particular area.
We asked if he was now happy with IH, which was rather different to a year ago when the Board had considered bringing in a change of manager in Ramon Diaz. GP said he is happy now, that last year for the first 4/5 games he wasn't impressed, but that these days he has a good relationship with IH. www.qpr1st.co.uk/main/trustclubmeetsep2005.htm

QPR 1st - Meeting with Paladini -October 21st 2005
Ian Holloway: The final question to be asked related to Ian Holloway, and if there were any news on a new contract for him? GP refused to be drawn on the subject and just said that Ian Holloway is the manager, and that any talks of new contracts would occur as and when. www.qpr1st.co.uk/documents/GandAminutes.doc

LSA Meeting with Paladini- November2005 .
Ian Holloway’s Contract In answer to a question about the extension of Ian Holloway’s contract Gianni Paladini (GP) said the club cannot afford to pay Ian Holloway what he is asking for. www.qpr-lsa.co.uk/05novdec.html

Q&A With Paladini - Official Site December? 2005
Q: "Do you think that Ian Holloway has taken the club as far as he can, and do we need a manager that will be able to take us to the next level?"
A: I think Ian is the man to take us forward, that's why we gave him a three year contract. Ian is a very good manager and I think he is the man to take us forward.Our relationship is very good, we speak everyday. I have commented on our relationship very often. I love Ian.
Q: How much truth was there in the rumour of Ramon Diaz coming to Rangers?"
A: l When I first joined I didn't know Ian Holloway. My friend Ramon Diaz came to watch our matches but he couldn't work for us anyway due to work permits. But once I got to know Ian then I knew he was the man for the job. www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/QA/0,,10373,00.html

Q&A with Paladini- December 2005 QPRnet.com:
Q: What were your expectations for the first team at the start of this season and what are they now?
GP: I was hoping we would get into the play offs, now it’s a case of lets see what happens. We need to get points and we must stay in this division whatever it takes. I’m confident and the players are confident that they are better than the last two games (Brighton and Coventry). That’s not the type of football I like at all.
QPRnet.com: Do you target Ian Holloway before each season as to a league finish?
GP: At the beginning of the season I targeted him to finish in the play offs and to improve on last season as a minimum. Anything less than that is disappointing, we have to improve, there is no other way, so let’s see what happens
QPRnet.com: What were your thoughts on our Club President calling for Ian Holloway to be sacked recently?
GP: He’s been a supporter of QPR for years and years and years has Harold. He’s a very passionate man, lovely fella and he’s helped the club many times. He has his own ideas and they haven’t changed, he was like this ever since I’ve known him. He’s not on the board and he doesn’t interfere but he’s entitled to his opinion and I’ve no problem with that. I said to Ian that I take stick as well and you have to get on with it.
QPRnet.com: So what about you? You said recently that you loved Ian and wanted him to be the man who builds the clubs future – do you stand by that?
GP: I like Ian as a man, he’s been very close to me over the years but at the end of the day we all know in football you forget about the good times very quickly. There’s a time span for everyone in football for me and for Ian but it won’t be me that ever sacks him it will be the fans, they will decide what’s right. If it comes to that then it doesn’t matter how much you love somebody, you have to make a decision you don’t want to. At the end of the day, Ian knows his job as a football manager is to be successful and I know my job is to run this football club and make sure the finances are sound and if either of us don’t do that then we have to go. It’s OK being a lovely friendly person but if you are not a success then you can only be a failure. QPRnet.com: Are you and Ian both aware that the fan base is split over his future?
GP: Of course but that happens at every football club, you can be the most successful manager in the world but the moment things don’t go right you get moved on. Look at the pressure Alex Ferguson is under after everything he has done. qprnet.com/interviews/paladini.shtml

NEW YEAR 2006 OFFICIAL SITE
"As you all know, as a club we went through difficult times and the new board had to bear quite a challenge and responsibility."Thanks to some huge efforts in renewing its organization and bringing in some new investments, QPR are now sailing in safe waters."We are optimistic when looking ahead for the New Year and for the whole of 2006, especially as we know we can always count on your continuous support."Our hope and aim is that QPR will never again have to struggle against organizational confusion and financial distress that have badly hit the good name of our glorious club."
A special mention must go to Ian Holloway, who has shown his passion and devotion to the club and as someone who gives us positive hopes for promotion."We are proud of our players and we are confident that we can continue to strengthen our team with some new arrivals at the beginning of the next year....... www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~761280,00.html

[Macmoish]

Bump a year...seems like yesterday!

And four years ago: February 18, 2007

Strange story appeared in a number of newsapers, including The Mail, Mirror
, Sun and Daily Star, that Joe Kinnear was set to replace John Gregory as manager.

The Mirror QPR SET TO GO FOR JOE By Aidan Magee 19/02/20
"JOE KINNEAR is favourite to take over at QPR this week if they decide to sack John Gregory.
The former Wimbledon boss has been out of the game since leaving Nottingham Forest at the foot of the Championship two years ago.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini will decide at a board meeting on Wednesday whether to stick with Gregory.
The talks take place the day after Rangers' crucial clash at Leeds - where defeat would almost certainly spell the end for the former Aston Villa boss.
Paladini tried to tempt Iain Dowie into a return to Loftus Road but was given short shrift by the ex-Charlton and Crystal Palace manager.
Kinnear, 60, suffered a heart attack while managing Wimbledon in March 1999 but has since managed Luton and Forest."

The Sun - JOE KINNEAR is poised to take over as manager of struggling Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

The STAR (From BBC Gossip) "QPR are on the verge of sacking John Gregory and could replace him with Joe Kinnear. (Daily Star)" - BBC

Daily Mail/Edited Simon Jones - The Screamer... it's the talk of football
Wanted: Joe Kinnear QPR line up Kinnear as Gregory faces axe


As a result of these stories, QPR issued a statement. "QPR Deny Managerial Change Reports: "bsolutely no intention of replacing John Gregory"

QPR OFFICIAL SITE FROM THE TOP - Gianni
In light of recent speculation in the national Press, Chairman Gianni Paladini has issued the following statement regarding the managerial position at QPR:
"We have absolutely no intention of replacing John Gregory as manager of this football club. He and the players have our 100% backing as we head into a crucial period of fixtures between now and the end of the season.
"I know this will be looked upon as the dreaded vote of confidence from a Chairman to his Manager, but I feel it is necessary to inform the fans who will have been reading inaccurate reports suggesting I am looking to replace John.
"We haven't spoken to anyone about the managerial position at QPR, contrary to Press speculation. Stories such as these are not helpful for the Club but I know the fans will continue to give great support to the team, as they have done all season.
Our focus is fully on the job in hand, which is to stay in The Championship and then build for what we hope will be a more successful campaign next season, with John Gregory at the helm."

[Macmoish]

Should have bumped a few days ago!