His website:
www.stephenconstantine.co.uk/index.htm
Flashback:
Soccernet/Sean Smith - Wednesday, February 21, 2001
Bulpin departures points to Holloway exitThe short-list for the QPR managers job seems to grow ever shorter as it appears that Ian Holloway is unlikely to be stepping into the frame after the departure from the club of coach Des Bulpin at the beginning of the week.
Bulpin has opted to join Stockport County as assistant manager and, although he is yet to set foot in the County Ground, he was on hand to witness the club's 4-0 capitulation at Norwich City on Tuesday night.
The former QPR coach said: 'It's not an easy decision to make as QPR have always been a club I have the fondest regards for. I have great respect for the chairman and would like to thank Chris Wright, Nick Blackburn and David Davies for the constructive co-operation and support throughout my time at the club.'
What this is likely to signal is Ian Holloway will not be coming to Loftus Road after all. Holloway worked alongside Bulpin at Bristol Rovers - as well as Gerry Francis - and Bulpin is unlikely to abandon the club if Holloway was coming in as the new manager.
The hint comes at a time when the club's board are beginning to run out of options. On Monday Dave Bassett indicated that despite being recommended for the job by the present boss Gerry Francis he will not be putting himself forward for the post.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez used the opportunity afforded him by last night's FA Cup replay at Wimbledon to announce he has no intention of quitting the club he has now taken to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Former Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell has also been ruled out after failing to make a good impression when he was interviewed by the board.
That leaves a combination of Steve Bruce, who in a quick Soccernet poll conducted at the Priestfield Stadium before QPR's 1-0 victory over Gillingham last night, came out as the least popular choice amongst the fans despite impressing the board; current assistant manager Iain Dowie and a possible combination involving Graham Rix and former boss Ray Wilkins.
Confused reports surround Steve Bruce's candidature. While a number of sources belive that he is one of the favourites for the post, The Daily Telegraph have reported that he has withdrawn himself from the race.
Iain Dowie said: 'I've had my interview and I put my point to the board. I think continuity here is very important. I also feel I can step into the mantle of a manager. I've got some bright ideas and things I want to implement. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity.
'It's nice that a large percentage of the fans feel that I should get the opportunity. I understand that people have been putting my name forward on the internet, which is lovely.'
Outside bets for the post include Gianluca Vialli, who has recently finished his UEFA 'B' coaching licence at Nottingham Forest, taking over the post and appointing Graham Rix as his deputy and
Soccernet columnist Stephen Constantine, who has also applied for the post from his national manager posting in Nepal.But although the list is getting shorter the deadline for an announcement continues to rise as Gerry Francis indicated after masterminding QPR's first away win of the season. He said: 'I really don't know if I'll be in charge on Saturday. It's possible.
'As far as I'm aware they are interviewing a couple more people over the next 48 hours. For the last week I haven't been knowing whether to say my goodbyes or not. It's an unusual situation.
'I'm in no mood to say goodbye at the moment. After these last two results I hope they keep on interviewing.' Francis will now meet the board this afternoon to be briefed on the progress being made to find his new successor.
Read more:
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=2541&page=1#ixzz115QRT5DS
