Warnock takes charge at QPR

March 2, 2010

Veteran manager Neil Warnock became the latest man to be given the job of guiding the fortunes of English second division side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) when he was appointed as their manager on Monday.

The 61-year-old Englishman has moved across London from Rangers’ Championship rivals Crystal Palace, after they agreed a compensation package, and has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Loftus Road club.

Warnock, who in 2006 led Sheffield United to promotion to the lucrative Premier League, now hopes to do the same for QPR, who last played in English football’s top flight in 1996.

“As a manager, Loftus Road is always a place I loved because of the fantastic atmosphere there,” Warnock told Rangers’ official website.

“Looking from afar, I believe this is the perfect time for me to come in, with the new structure and chairman in place. Together we can give the club the stability it needs.

“I am really looking forward to the challenge that’s in front of me.”

QPR chairman Ishan Saksena added: “Neil was always our number one target and so we are delighted to announce him as our manager.

“He has great experience in English football and a phenomenal track record. I believe he is the right man to help QPR fulfil its ambitions.”

Caretaker manager Mick Harford and assistant Tony Coton have both stepped down from their respective roles.

Palace were on the verge of a place in the playoffs for promotion to the Premier League before the Eagles’ financial problems saw them hit with a 10 point penalty for entering administration.

Lack of funds has not been a problem of late for QPR, with the west London club co-owned by the family of Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and former Grand Prix team boss Flavio Briatore.

But lack of managerial stability has been an issue with the six bosses, plus caretakers, hired and fired during Briatore’s two-and-a-half years as chairman contributing to a situation where QPR are now only three points above fellow relegation candidates Palace.

However, the controversial Italian stepped down as chairman last month to be replaced by the lower profile Saksena.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: bernie ecclestone, caretaker manager, compensation package, crystal palace, flavio briatore, formula one supremo, indian steel, Lakshmi Mittal, Loftus Road, london, london club, mick harford, Neil, neil warnock, premier league, QPR, queens park, queens park rangers, saksena, Sheffield, sheffield united, target, team boss, Tony Coton, two and a half years, west london

Luton´s 89-year stay in Football League ends

April 13, 2009

LUTON, England (AFP) – Luton have lost their English Football League status after 89 years as Monday’s 0-0 draw against Chesterfield confirmed their relegation from League Two.

Luton enjoyed success in the English top flight in the 1980s, winning the League Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley in 1988 and reaching the final again the following year.

They won at Wembley only eight days ago, when 40,000 Luton fans watched Mick Harford’s team beat League One Scunthorpe in the Football League Trophy final.

Luton’s record this season is actually good enough for a mid-table finish but a 30-point deduction for financial infringements meant it was all but certain that the Hatters would finish in the bottom two.

Their fate was confirmed when Grimsby won at Notts County, leaving Luton facing non-league football in the Conference next season.