13 Years Ago: "QPR Saved" by Briatore/Ecclestone

[QPR Report]

13 Years ago QPR Chairman Says QPR Saved! Briatore to Take Over-
UPDATED:

The Sun - F1 chief Flavio is a Ranger
By PAUL JIGGINS -August 17, 2007

FORMULA ONE chief Flavio Briatore has won the race to buy QPR.
The Renault boss will complete a £22million deal for the Londoners early next week.
It follows three months of negotiations between the Italian tycoon and Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini.
Billionaire Briatore has agreed to wipe out Rangers’ £17m debt — saving the club from going bust.
He is also expected to give boss John Gregory cash to splash in January’s transfer window.
Paladini will stay on as chairman at Loftus Road.
And last night he said: “It’s a dream come true for QPR fans and saves this club from liquidation.
"Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club.”
Flamboyant Briatore, 57, is renowned for having a shrewd business brain.
He transformed the US operations of fashion firm Benetton and turned just five stores into 800.
In 1989 Luciano Benetton asked him to work his magic on his F 1 outfit — and two years later Briatore signed Michael Schumacher.
And in 2003 he promoted reigning Formula One champ Fernando Alonso — who was then Renault’s test driver — to the team.
Briatore has a lavish home in London and last night his spokesman said: “Mr Briatore is looking forward to being involved with English football.
“QPR is a club with a rich history and fine future now.” The Sun


Reuters - Renault chief to become QPR owner, report says
Fri Aug 17, 2007
Flavio Briatore, who runs the Renault Formula One team, is set to become the new owner of English second division club Queens Park Rangers.
"Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Al Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club," Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini told the Sun newspaper on Friday.
"It is a dream come true for all the fans and saves this club from liquidation."
Billionaire Briatore, 57, will wipe out QPR's debt of 17 million pounds and invest an extra 100 million pounds over three years, the Sun reported.
Rangers were last in the Premier League in 1996. Reuters


Daily Mail - Briatore buy-out keeps QPR going
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete a £19million deal for Queens Park Rangers next week, saving the club from going into liquidation.
Gianni Paladini, who will stay as chairman, said: "This saves the club from liquidation. Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club. It is a dream come true for all the fans."
Billionaire Briatore will wipe out QPR's debt of £17m and invest in the club that has been out of the top flight since 1996 and beset by debt and boardroom rows.
A spokesman for the Formula One giant said: "Mr Briatore is looking forward to being involved with English football.
"QPR are a club with a rich history and a fine future now."
The club, managed by John Gregory, are at home to Cardiff tomorrow. It is understood that one of the plans being discussed is a proposal to sell Loftus Road to property developers and move the club to a new site currently owned by the BBC at White City.
Paladini this year added Kevin Steele, a property lawyer from firm Mishcon de Reya, to the QPR board to advise on redevelopment options, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council believed to be in favour of the plans. Mail

-
Sunday Times - Peter Boyle - Football Shorts - Briatore on fast track at QPR
Renault F1 owner Flavio Briatore’s takeover of QPR will be completed this week. Should Rangers’ fans be worried to hear chairman Gianni Paladini say: ‘Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed al-Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club’? Sunday Times


Briatore/Ecclestone Profiles at the time
qprreport.blogspot.com/2007/08/introguide-to-qprs-prospective-new.html

[ingham]

Should Rangers’ fans be worried to hear chairman Gianni Paladini say: ‘Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed al-Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club’?

For some reason, that sounds strangely aimless, even rather pointless. Copying Fulham sounds like the sort of thing an uninterested investor would say, and a supporter wouldn't.

Maybe it's the idea of turning us into a Premier League club. It is just a turn of phrase, but it seems symptomatic of the modern game, where Clubs are simply 'turned into' Champions League sides.

Sorry, I mean Premiership.

Once you had to achieve the biggest things, and even the lesser achievements, like promotion, were no joke. We managed it once before Gregory (in 42 years), we've managed it and once since (in 22 years).

But now you do these things like changing the badge or announcing record sales which aren't a record. It's just something you say.

Or maybe it's that turning Clubs into something else defines the whole of football now. Once, they remained rigidly what they'd more or less always been. Now, within days, new 'investors' at QPR are talking about a new ground. They stop talking about it after a while, but that's completely alien to the supporters' mentality, where people identify with what IS. The colours - most of our chairmen over the last 50 years have tried - or intended in some way - to change the colours, the name of the Club, and the Ground, even, or particularly, Gregory.

It's as if QPR is compellingly interesting to us because it remains what it (almost) always has been, and that's far more interesting and inspiring even than success.

But, to them, THAT is of no interest at all. A Club must be 'global' - but not in footballing terms. A 'business' even though few if any of them have ever made even a penny profit for years, decades even.

A Club is a PR experience, except in the only way that might conceivably fulfil the PR claims and make it big, rich and successful.

Sheer footballing talent.

People like Matt Busby, Don Revie, Ramsey, Shankly, Clough, Stein, Paisley. Is it just me or are they now actually inconceivable in football terms.

The fools just turned up, on foot probably, established a few rules of thumb, often pivoting on simplicity, directness, getting goals at one end, and keeping them out at the other. Plus hard work, discipline, organisation on the pitch. Busby was wary of directors, Shankly openly despised them, kept away from them, and excluded them from his definition of the Club altogether 'they are only there to SIGN the cheques'.

And Clough mocked them in public, even his own 'masters'.

These people - the managers above - seem almost weird now. Their teams just started winning, and went on winning, in some cases - Paisley in his heyday, Clough for spells, Ferguson now - they could hardly stop winning.

Nothing about property deals. Share values. Inflated wages? They got £12 a week in the summer, £20 max in the season. And the players lived in digs with a landlady to keep them out of the courts.

Good, things have been brought up to date. But what's all the other stuff about? How did Paisley manage without Ali Russell. Or the £100 million that Briatore 'intended' to put into QPR?

Was that Liverpool spirit just a good brand. Frothy badge, all sorts of 'offers', 'deals', but the teams can't actually play, and, like Liverpool and the title now, never win the damn thing.

Wolves raiding, raking passing game, Spurs 'push and run' and the Double, the Double, unique in the 20th century when Spurs won it with a manager who never bothered with a contract because 'your only security is your talent'.

But he was right. Paisley was right. A bloke who was tongue-tied before embarking on the most triumphant managerial career ever in the British game. And who had been at the one Club 30 years. Ramsey winning the league with half his the Third Division championship players still in the team.

It was simple. Yes, and they made money. Earnings rose. Not enough to provide enormous free loans to hangers-on, or 4-year contracts to players who can't play because they're injured, or because they just can't play anyway. But enough to keep the momentum going financially IF the manager continued to win.

But now, managers of this type simply don't exist, except for Ferguson. There are a few very wealthy losers at the bigger Clubs which win nothing, enormous numbers of very overpaid nonentities everywhere else.

But what difference does it make where it matters, in terms of talent, on the field?

The most successful Clubs - two of them anyway, United and Arsenal - were traditionally the two cheapest. it was cheaper to watch United than any other top division Club. As if their success subsidised the supporters.

Now the supporters at Clubs like QPR must subsidise the billionaires. And some of the billionaires? Didn't the Dean in Animal House tell the fat boy that 'fat, stupid and greedy' is no way to go through life?

It's isn't. But the bloated nature of the game, and the Clubs, and their finances - even the personnel I dare say - makes the epithet ring true.

It was simple enough. Now, it seems that mere football isn't enough. But what is all the other rubbish actually about? Explanations are so vague, inconclusive, contradictory, meaningless, that the reluctance of supporters to commit themselves - even to buying tickets - stands out like a sore thumb.

Is this bloke a good player? We have no idea. Is the manager all right? Who knows? What's going on at QPR. Helpless laughter.

It all sounded so brave and knowing, all those years ago, when clever people eliminated the Busbys and Cloughs, Shanklys and Ramseys - and Gregorys. Those primitives who knew the game, who packed the Kop - and the Loft now and then - and amazed us with thier cleverness, cunning, ability to turn nothing into greatness.

I don't like to think what something valuable like QPR is being turned into. And nobody else seems to know, either. Particularly the people responsible for doing it.

[QPR Report]

Whether it's been "good" or not for QPR can be debated. But at least some have done quite well from the takeover!


As for the QPR "transformation" and where the money has come from/who's funding QPR: The owners, the banks, the fans...

Certainly a lot a money has been spent - real money: Ground improvements, players transfers; wages; ex-coaches.... I've just constantly argued hasn't been spent particularly well.

Then there are the imponderables: re the post-ABC Loan...The losses every year; the increasing debt; who now owns the ground; the supposed second mortage.

And the motivation and goals of the owners. Lots of questions

[Zamoraaaah]

Great post Ingham.

They saved the club from admin/relegation, Not the same as saving the club.
It is true to say that left in GP's hands any longer we would have been completely farked but we would have a QPR.

I would argue that those of us demonstrating on the pitch at QPR and Fulham did more to save the club than any investor.
We saved 2 football clubs, not from admin/relegation but from extinction.

[Macmoish]

Bump a year....

[Macmoish]

August 17, 2007 - QPR Takeover...Future Ground Move Possible-

[In contrast to the speculation in the Daily Mail story re a possible ground move, that same day;s London Paper reportedly has Chairman Paladini talking about plans to remain at Loftus Road and build up there to increase capacity!]

Daily Mail - Briatore buy-out keeps QPR going
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete a £19million deal for Queens Park Rangers next week, saving the club from going into liquidation.
Gianni Paladini, who will stay as chairman, said: "This saves the club from liquidation. Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club. It is a dream come true for all the fans."
Billionaire Briatore will wipe out QPR's debt of £17m and invest in the club that has been out of the top flight since 1996 and beset by debt and boardroom rows.
A spokesman for the Formula One giant said: "Mr Briatore is looking forward to being involved with English football.
"QPR are a club with a rich history and a fine future now."
The club, managed by John Gregory, are at home to Cardiff tomorrow. It is understood that one of the plans being discussed is a proposal to sell Loftus Road to property developers and move the club to a new site currently owned by the BBC at White City.
Paladini this year added Kevin Steele, a property lawyer from firm Mishcon de Reya, to the QPR board to advise on redevelopment options, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council believed to be in favour of the plans. Mail



Friday, August 17, 2007

Briatore Deal Reportedly Expected to be Without Antonio Giraudo Involvement-
According to Channel 4 re Italian soccer "Briatore closing in on QPR Friday 17 August, 2007" (which is mostly just a repeating of The Sun and Reuters story (which itself was from The Sun)
"....The 57-year-old businessman is expected to finalise the deal alone, without F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and ex-Juventus director Antonio Giraudo, who were initially paired with Briatore’s ambitious plans." Channel 4

[Macmoish]

The previous days, three years ago:

Paladini Warns of Administration
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5988


3 Yrs Ago: QPR in Talks with 3 Consortiums
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=15673


Former Chairman Bill Power Explaining
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5966


Caliendo: The Club is Not For sale
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5940

[Macmoish]

Coming up to the four year mark in just a few 7/8 more weeks

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you

[londonranger]

Stolen, not saved.

[Macmoish]

Standard Aug 21, 2007

Briatore to Clear Final Hurdle for QPR Deal; Going Places: Michael Mancienne Shines for the England Under-19s

RENAULT chief Flavio Briatore will complete his takeover of Queens ParkRangers within the next 24 hours.

And Michael Mancienne, who is on a season's loan at QPR from Chelsea, believesthe arrival of new funds could ensure Rangers get back in the Premier Leaguenext season.

Three of Rangers' four main shareholders have signed documents selling theirshares to Briatore and the fourth, Franco Zanotti, is expected to follow suitthis evening.

Club chairman Gianni Paladini, plc chairman Antonio Caliendo and Brazil managerDunga, who with Zanotti make up the Monaco-based consortium that own 62 percent of the club, have sold their holdings to the Italian businessman over thepast few days.

"There is only Zanotti left and then the deal is complete," said Paladini.

"It will either be tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest." A pressconference is likely to be scheduled for early next week to unveil Briatore,who is in Istanbul preparing for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.

Briatore (right) will clear Rangers' [pounds sterling]17million debt and will hand manager JohnGregory around [pounds sterling]10m, which will allow him to strenghten his squad before thetransfer window closes.

Mancienne admits the worries over QPR's future had affected the dressing room,but now feels the club will be able to challenge at the top rather than thebottom of the Championship.

He said: "There have been a lot of rumours around the club, so it will be greatthat they can get out of debt and sign a few players now.

"There has been a bit of talk in the dressing room about whether a takeoverwould happen so now we can concentrate on the football.

"We haven't got off to the best of starts, but we can bounce back. QPR are abig club and if they have a bit of money to spend on players they can challengeat the top of the Championship.

www.questia.com/newspaper/1G1-167865475/briatore-to-clear-final-hurdle-for-qpr-deal-going


Takeover Update - Complete Within 24 Hours
-
Daily Mail
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete his takeover of Queens Park Rangers within the next 24 hours. ...
Three of Rangers' four main shareholders have signed documents selling their shares to Briatore and the fourth, Franco Zanotti, is expected to follow suit this evening.
Club chairman Gianni Paladini, plc chairman Antonio Caliendo and Brazil manager Dunga, who with Zanotti make up the Monaco-based consortium that own 62 per cent of the club, have sold their holdings to the Italian businessman over the past few days.
"There is only Zanotti left and then the deal is complete," said Paladini. "It will either be tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest."
A press conference is likely to be scheduled for early next week to unveil Briatore, who is in Istanbul preparing for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Briatore will clear Rangers' £17million debt and will hand manager John Gregory around £10m, which will allow him to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes....Daily Mail

The Briatore Approach/Philosophy (to Racing)
A Recent Interview with QPR's purportive new owner, Flavio Briatore. None of it is to do with football (soccer) but maybe a few indicators of his approach.

August 1 - Formula 1 Exclusive interview - Renault’s Flavio Briatore

Renault team principal Flavio Briatore is one of the paddock’s most colourful characters but under the flamboyant surface lies an analytical mind worthy of his team’s two consecutive constructors’ titles.
Speaking to Formula1.com, Briatore tackles the thorny issue of Formula One racing’s future, as well as reviewing his squad’s performance this season…

Q: You have always been an advocate of change in Formula One racing. Are you satisfied with the planned revisions for 2008 and the FIA’s proposals for 2011? Do you think the new regulations will deliver?
Flavio Briatore: We are currently engaged in a very good discussion with the FIA about the rules for 2011. There is a good dialogue between the teams and the federation, and some very interesting proposals are being discussed. We don’t agree with all of them, and the teams have different opinions on certain issues. But that is to be expected. There are four major goals that we need to achieve with these new rules - to make sure Formula One stays at the pinnacle of motorsport; to reduce costs; to become more environmentally aware; and to improve the show. That is what we are working towards at the moment.

Q: You recently said that progress in Formula One racing is handicapped by ‘too much democracy’. What would be your ideal?
FB: The need for unanimous agreement to make decisions is very frustrating. I think majority decision-making would help us get a lot more things done, faster and more efficiently.

Q: You have long argued that races have to become more exciting. The European Grand Prix showed just what excitement a little rain can muster. Aside from relying on the forces of nature, what can be done?
FB: At the moment, the model of a Formula One weekend is simple. We spend two days sorting out the cars, putting the quickest ones at the front and the slowest ones at the back through qualifying. Then we send them out to race, and magically hope for the slower ones to become faster, and vice versa, to produce overtaking! Even if we make it easier to overtake, we still need something else to shuffle the order of the cars to create a really exciting racing. When the rain comes, it introduces that little bit of chaos you need to jumble things up. Perhaps we should look at other ways of achieving that on a more regular basis.

Q: Is the GP2 model feasible for Formula One racing?
FB: If you mean in terms of everybody using the same car, then no, because Formula One needs to keep the high technology appeal it has at the moment. If you mean in terms of thinking in a new way about how to run the races, and being open-minded in how we approach the structure of the race weekend, then absolutely. For example, they reverse the grids in GP2 for the second race, and it means that the quick drivers have to fight past the slower ones. Or what about having two races per weekend, instead of one? Some aspects of Formula One are essential parts of its DNA, but perhaps not as many as people think…

Q: Formula One racing has one foot firmly placed in the sporting world and the other in entertainment. How could these two elements be better combined?
FB: I don’t believe we can focus only on car design to help improve the racing, we need to think more about the entertainment. That means bringing more of a marketing approach to the sport, firstly to tell people what the plans are to use advanced technology and to show our environmental awareness, but also in how we package and present Formula One. Improving the racing is only one aspect of that. In the modern world, people want to get closer to the stars, to be able to have contact with them and to see behind the scenes. We need to reach out to the fans and start getting them closer to the sport.

Q: As for Renault - ten races down - how would you sum up the team’s season so far?
FB: A bad start to the year. A lot of hard work. Concrete improvements. And the proof that this is a champion team even when we are not winning races. It has been a test of character this year, and I think we have passed it. Now we are on the way back.

Q: Renault won two championships with a comparatively lean budget. Looking at the standings this season, do you think we are witnessing the renaissance of big budgets?
FB: Not from my point of view. We won the last two championships on a sensible budget. Although we have dropped back this year, that is not because of a lack of resources. There were other mistakes that we made, nothing to do with the amount of money we spend. And now, we have shown that we can respond and start closing the gap. We have the resources we need to do the job.

Q: Heikki Kovalainen has made less of an impression than fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton. But there is no doubt he is improving with every race. Are you satisfied with his performance?
FB: The team let him down at the start of the year, giving him a car that was very difficult to drive. For a rookie, that is a tough situation to be in, and I think he felt it. But if the start was disappointing, he has responded since then. He has listened to the feedback he was given, he carried on working all the way through, and he has driven some very strong races since Canada. Maybe it has taken half a season, but he is starting to demonstrate his talent now - and showing why we believe in him.

Q: At six teams the driver line-up for 2008 is already settled. What is the state of affairs at Renault?
FB: We are in no rush. At the moment, we are working to make sure we are on the right track with the car for 2008. That is the priority for next year in order to achieve our target of winning races again. This year has shown that having the right car is the key to being competitive. Formula1

qprreport.blogspot.com/2007/08/takeover-update-complete-within-24.html

[Macmoish]

10 years ago...Just waiting for the final completion