Neil Warnock has been sacked as QPR manager.
A replacement is likely to be installed before next weekend’s match against Newcastle, with former Fulham and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes the frontrunner for the job.
Warnock, who took over in March 2010 and led Rangers to promotion last season, has been shown the door after a run of nine matches without a win.
His assistant Mick Jones and first-team coach Keith Curle have also left Rangers, who are currently fourth from bottom of the Premier League.
“This decision has been made in the best interests of the club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that was made lightly,” QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said in a statement.
“Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the board felt it was the right time to make a change.
“Neil has acted with honesty, professionalism and integrity throughout his time at the club, and I would personally like to thank him for his significant contribution to QPR over the last 22 months.
“I genuinely wish him all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome back at Loftus Road.”
Vice-chairman Amit Bhatia added: “It is with a very heavy heart that we make this announcement.
“I played a key role in bringing Neil to Loftus Road and consider him to be a close personal friend and a great professional.
“I would like to place on the record my thanks to him for transforming us from a Championship club to a Premier League club. We have gained enormously from Neil’s wisdom, experience and leadership.
“He has always performed his managerial duties to the very highest of standards. I wish Neil every success going forward and he will always be welcome at QPR.
“I now look forward to the future and the rest of the season as we work towards stabilising our position in the Premier League.”
Warnock, who suffered relegation from the top flight with Notts County and Sheffield United, was desperate for another crack at Premier League management before retiring.
But poor results weakened his position ahead of the all-important transfer window and gave the board misgivings about allowing him to spend more cash this month.
“Obviously I’m very disappointed, but having achieved so much, I leave the club with a great sense of pride,” said Warnock.
“I have enjoyed my time here more than anywhere else and the QPR fans have been brilliant with me – they deserve success.
“My biggest regret is that the takeover didn’t happen earlier, because that would have given me the opportunity to bring in the targets I’d pinpointed all last summer and probably given us a better chance to succeed in the Premier League.”
He added: “The board at QPR are hugely ambitious and I wish them every success for the future.
“I’ve been involved in the game a long time and I will be spending the immediate future with my family and friends before deciding my next career move.”
Feature: The final hours
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This post was last modified on 09/01/2012
