Following the departure of Mark Hughes on Friday the club issued the following statement prior to our match at Old Trafford:
‘Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Harry Redknapp as the club’s manager. The 65-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Loftus Road and will watch his new team from the stands when the R’s take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Redknapp said: “I’m delighted to be back in the managerial hot-seat at QPR. When I spoke to the Shareholders and they told me about their plans I knew this was too good an opportunity to turn down.”
“There’s no doubt there’s a lot of ability in the squad, but for one reason or another things haven’t gone as well as everyone expected since the start of the season. I can’t wait to get to work and get the results necessary to kick-start our season.”
Redknapp’s arrival in W12 represents a significant coup for the club. Widely regarded as one of the best English managers in the business, Redknapp’s track record at the highest level speaks for itself.
After guiding Portsmouth to an FA Cup Final victory in 2007/08, he enjoyed arguably his finest hour in management at Tottenham Hotspur, where he led them into the Champions League for the first time in their history at the end of the 2009/10 season. He was also named Premier League Manager of the Year at the end of that campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the QPR Shareholders, QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes, said: “Harry was our number one target, the unanimous choice of the Board and we’re delighted we’ve been able to attract him to the club. He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has all the characteristics we were looking for to get us out of the current situation we find ourselves in.”
“His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table. We believe we have a manager with significant experience at the highest level of football, who can come in and immediately help deliver our objectives.”
QPR Shareholder Kamarudin Bin Meranun added: “While we look forward with Harry we would also like to place on the record our appreciation to Mark. Though results have not been good this season, Mark has moved the club forwards in terms of infrastructure and advancing QPR as a Premier League club. For that, we want to thank him.”
“He was a consummate professional and it was a difficult decision to make as we had all grown to respect him. We all wish him and his family well for the future.”
A further announcement regarding Redknapp’s backroom team will be made in due course.’
Harry Redknapp looked on as the R’s went down fighting at Old Trafford on Saturday, something sadly lacking this season. Today he is scheduled to be officially unveiled at a press conference. He has been quoted as saying: “I’m not here for a short-term fix, keep the club up…I want to build something here.”
Harry Redknapp’s appointment brings us some hope.
Steve Russell
Thanks Harry & welcome. We are all with you