QPR confirm axing of manager Warburton
QPR have confirmed that manager Mark Warburton will leave the club at the end of the season.
Warburton, who was appointed in 2019 and wanted to stay, has lost his job following a dismal run of results which saw Rangers miss out on a play-off place.
West London Sport have been reporting that Warburton will be leaving at the end of the season, having also revealed that new terms he signed last summer was an improved, but not extended, deal, and his contract was therefore coming to an end and would not be renewed.
And he told West London Sport on Thursday morning that he did not expect to be retained.
Rangers confirmed on the club website on Thursday evening that Warburton will be leaving after the final game of the campaign, at Swansea.
Chief executive Lee Hoos said: “We would like to thank Mark for his incredible efforts during his time with us.
“In his three years, he has helped the club establish a style of play and a DNA for which we are hugely grateful.
“Mark’s contract expires at the end of the season and, after three years, we believe it is best to have a fresh start next season as we look to build on the foundations already laid.
“We wish Mark every success in the future. I would personally like to thank him for his incredible work ethic, professionalism and dedication during his time with us.
“Ahead of our final home match of the season against Sheffield United we believe it is only fair to Mark and our supporters to make this announcement now.
“This gives fans the opportunity to show their appreciation to Mark, and Mark to show his appreciation to the fans.”
Amit Bhatia, who holds the position of club chairman, said: “Firstly I would like to convey my sincere thanks and the thanks of the board to Mark for his commitment, attitude, professionalism and hard work in very challenging circumstances.
“He has overseen the club during an unprecedented three-year period and has always conducted himself with the utmost integrity.
“Mark has undoubtedly moved the club forward from one that was in the bottom half of the Championship table to one that challenged for a play-off place. He leaves the club in a better and stronger position than when he arrived, and I’m incredibly grateful to him.
“As we look to continue that progress, we must now make sure we build on these positive steps.
“My fellow shareholders and I have been involved with QPR for a long time now and our commitment to the betterment of our club is unwavering.
“This decision, whilst difficult, has been made with the best interests of the club in mind. That is, and has always been, our aim.”
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand said: “This decision has been a very difficult one to make and I reiterate Lee and Amit’s thanks and appreciation to Mark for his dedication during his time with us.
“The search for a new manager will now begin as we look for a suitable candidate who will build on the style of play we have at QPR.”
Warburton said: “It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to be the manager of Queens Park Rangers over the last three years.
“A manager’s aim must always be to leave the club in a better position than when he or she joined, and as my tenure in the role draws to a close, I hope very much that this is indeed the case.
“I would like to thank the chairman, the CEO and director of football for their kind words and for the support given to me by the board during my time at the club.
“I would also like to offer sincere thanks to John Eustace, Neil Banfield and the staff for their magnificent backing, and similarly, thank each and every player for their outstanding efforts over the last three seasons.
“Yes, they are an excellent group of professionals, but equally as importantly they are a group of genuinely good people and I wish them the very best of luck for the next stage of their respective careers.
“Finally, it is a very sincere thank you to the QPR fans who have given such tremendous support over the three-year period.
“As I have repeatedly stated, such support is always greatly appreciated but never taken for granted. Thank you to every single supporter.”
01/05/2022 @ 9:12 am
I bet most of the ‘not good enough’ players are really sad to hear this news.
29/04/2022 @ 4:25 pm
Dont tell me we have offloaded our current manager without a replacement in place. Is this an oversight? or history repeating itself over and over again.
29/04/2022 @ 12:18 pm
Joe echo’s my thoughts. reports about half the current team and subs bench leaving is worrying to say the least, especially when the new manager has no say over who is left let alone who comes in as direct replacements. I expected the squad to be strengthened not decimated.
28/04/2022 @ 9:16 pm
don’t know what’s gone wrong at our club but something is definitely not right, we hear that the club is getting rid of M.W. and then there are reports that we are getting 3 spurs youngsters! so who is running the football side of things ? who have we lined up to be the new manager, won’t he want to get his own players?or is the manager not managing, is it any wonder our season has gone down the toilet? MW will carry the can for this seasons failure,but the men at the upper end of our club need to look at themselves, because the real failure is theirs for they are the controllers that dictate our future.