QPR axe Holloway and turn to McClaren

Ian Holloway has lost his job as QPR manager.

The club are likely to confirm Holloway’s departure in the next 24 hours and want Steve McClaren to take over at Loftus Road.

Holloway, who was in his second spell as Rangers boss, had a year left on his contract.

He succeeded Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in November 2016 and this season guided QPR to a 16th-placed finish.

The former R’s midfielder, who also managed the club between 2001 and 2006, fulfilled his brief in terms of stabilising them in the Championship on a reduced budget and bringing in younger players.

But his managerial style caused consternation among the Rangers hierarchy, who have long been minded to make a change at the end of the campaign.

Former England boss McClaren is well respected at QPR, having had a brief spell on the coaching staff in 2013 during Harry Redknapp’s time in charge.

He left for the first of two spells in charge at Derby. He has also managed Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, FC Twente and Wolfsburg.

McClaren established himself as a coach during a highly successful stint as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United, prior to which he worked under former QPR manager Jim Smith at Oxford United.