Following news of the immediate dismissal of Paulo Sousa’s right-hand man, Bruno Oliveira and various other murmerings in the Press, it wasn’t a total surprise when the following Club statement appeared on the Official Website, although some of its content certainly was:-
‘Queens Park Rangers Football Club has today (Thursday) had to terminate Paulo De Sousa’s employment with the Club with immediate effect. It came to the Club’s attention that Mr De Sousa had, without authority, divulged highly confidential and sensitive information. The Club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position. Player/Coach Gareth Ainsworth will take Caretaker charge on a temporary basis, from now until the end of the season. The Club will be making no further comment.’
Then with much speculation regarding Dexter Blackstock’s surprise loan departure to Nottingham Forest, the Club then made the unusual step of issuing the following statement from his agent, Eric Walters:-
‘This statement is to clarify the situation regarding Dexter Blackstock and QPR.”Dexter was unhappy at QPR for some time, as he had only started six of a possible twenty one fixtures. He wasn’t even on the bench for QPR’s home fixture against Bristol City and seeing as he was the Club’s top goalscorer, Dexter was unhappy about this situation. A few Clubs approached me for Dexter, including Nottingham Forest. I spoke with Gianni Paladini and he advised me that we needed to clear this with Paulo Sousa. Paulo came back from Portugal on March 26th at lunchtime. Dexter discussed the situation with Paulo, and he didn’t say anything to Dexter about the possibilty of him staying with QPR. At 4.00pm on March 26th 2009, Dexter signed the paperwork to complete his loan transfer to Nottingham Forest.”
Eric Walters
Before Saturday’s match with Sheffield Wednesday kicked off, Billy Rice read out another Club statement which also appeared on the Official Website:-
‘Contrary to reports in today’s press suggesting Luigi De Canio was sacked from his position as First Team Coach at QPR in May 2008, the current Lecce boss has made the following statement.De Canio, the then Genoa Manager, had principally agreed to join the R’s in the wake of Flavio Briatore’s successful takeover of the Club, before eventually joining in Ocober 2007. De Canio said: “It’s not true that I was sacked by Queens Park Rangers Football Club, in fact, it was the very opposite. I was offered a substantially improved deal to stay in West London, but my personal circumstances at the time led to me leaving. I don’t want to divulge the circumstances surrounding my departure, because it is personal. But I left with a heavy heart.”
‘Furthermore, the Club also confirm that Mick Harford – who filled the void left by former boss John Gregory on a temporary basis – was offered a deal to stay at the Club, and was not sacked, as has been stated in some newspapers this weekend. Harford: “It is true that I was offered an improved deal to stay at the Club. In addition, I was always of the understanding that I was only a temporary option and I was well aware that the Club were in talks to replace me with a new First Team Coach.”
‘Finally, the Club would like to reiterate that Paulo De Sousa’s employment with the Club was terminated after it came to the Club’s attention that Mr De Sousa had, without authority, divulged highly confidential and sensitive information. The Club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position. De Sousa, who won only seven of his twenty six matches in charge, left the Club on Thursday. Following reports today, the Club can also confirm that legal action will be taken in the coming days.’
So with much speculation in the media and also within the Rangers Community, this sad affair is now a legal matter and therefore to be left alone until it re-enters the public domain.
Steve Russell