Warburton says contract uncertainty was a factor in QPR slump
Mark Warburton has told Talksport he believes uncertainty around the futures of some of his QPR players had an impact on performances prior to his exit.
The former Rangers manager’s contract was not renewed at the end of the season following a miserable run of form.
West London Sport had revealed that a lack of clarity – or any discussion at all – about the futures of players soon to be out of contract was felt by the squad to have had an unsettling effect – and Warburton has now made it clear he agrees.
“There were a number of players out of contract as well and decisions were made. We were told very clearly that nothing can be forthcoming until the end of the season,” he said.
“Now, again, as a manager, how hard do you push that? I recognise what I needed to do. Play-offs would have meant that I think, for me, a new contract would have been offered. I think that’s fair to say, again no secrets are being revealed.
“So that was my responsibility and on that basis we failed. I look at myself and say we didn’t get to that goal of the play-offs.
“Did factors contribute to that? Absolutely, but that’s another story.
“I just think the whole idea of the contracts at many clubs now has to be reviewed because for me as a manager, it impacts players.
“I’m told they’ve got to be strong, they’re professional, they’re getting paid – but also understand that they’ve got other commitments and they can sign signatures at other clubs away from us in January.
“So therefore, how does their mindset deal with that? And to adopt a generic approach of ‘They’ve got to do A, B and C’ – everyone is different and some players will be affected more than others.
“So that was a contributing factor, undoubtedly.”
22/05/2022 @ 1:15 pm
He was a good manager at Brentford took them to the play offs but what alot of QPR fans forget get is he was never a manager as such he was a director of football before he took over at Brentford i glad in a way he gone but the writing was on the wall when Brentford and Glasgow rangers sack him dont think i ever see him smile when he was at QPR i a Brentford supporter myself and you need someone like dean smith eddie Howe thomas franks who work hard to get results but good luck for next season hope QPR go up
21/05/2022 @ 9:10 am
Oh dear, yet more excuses. Yes, contracts matter, but these are professional players, if their form dips because they are coming to the end of their current contract then they are not the sort of players we all thought they were. Play well and get another contract, thats how it works. Just look at Albert, George and afew others. I think the truth here is he refused to drop out of form players and play others permanently sat on the bench out of his misguided principles.
21/05/2022 @ 9:03 am
He needs to get over it and stop looking for excuses.
No different to any other contractor in any other job, you’re fully expected to work to the same level up until your contract is renewed or not.
A good manager would have used it as a tool to get the players to play well enough to demand a new contract, that’s effectively what other professionals on contracts have to do, doesn’t matter if you’re a IT bloke or a footballer.
20/05/2022 @ 9:34 pm
Poor fringe players ruined QPR. Dozzell, Thomas, plus January misfits Hendrick @ Sanderson.