McClaren’s sacking confirmed by QPR

QPR have sacked Steve McClaren.

McClaren has lost his job as manager in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to second-from-bottom Bolton – Rangers’ 11th loss in their past 14 Championship matches.

John Eustace, who was McClaren’s assistant, has been placed in caretaker charge,

Having won just one league game since Boxing Day, they are just eight points above the relegation zone.

Former England boss McClaren, 57, was appointed last May following QPR’s sacking of Ian Holloway.

Tony Fernandes, who stood down as co-chairman three months later, wanted McClaren, having been impressed by his brief spell on the coaching staff at Loftus Road during Harry Redknapp’s time as manager.

But there were tensions behind the scenes, with McClaren reluctant to sign the kind of unheralded lower-league players Rangers were pursuing while restricted by Financial Fair Play rules.

Bringing in the experienced Angel Rangel, Tomer Hemed, Nahki Wells and Geoff Cameron led to an upturn following a disastrous start to McClaren’s reign in which they lost their opening four league games and were demolished 7-1 at West Brom.

The improvement kept him in the job but a decline in results meant there was little appetite among the club’s hierarchy to retain him beyond the end of the season.

And Saturday’s result – coming soon after a home defeat against Rotherham, who had not won away in the league this season – meant the axe fell on McClaren with seven matches of the campaign still to play.

He won 16 and lost 21 of his 46 games at the helm.