http://www.westlondonsport.com/feat...s-unsustainable-as-sherwood-waits-for-qpr-job Harry Redknapp seems to be coming to the end of the road at QPR. His support in the boardroom and dressing room have been on the wane, but it’s his frosty relationship with Les Ferdinand that probably makes his position as manager unsustainable. Despite working under Redknapp at Tottenham, Ferdinand has been far from his ally since returning to Loftus Road as director of football operations. Redknapp initially described that title as “stupid” – seemingly because he believed Ferdinand’s actual role would not be that significant. If that’s what he expected – and he wasn’t alone – he was wrong. Whatever the motivation behind Tony Fernandes’ appointment of a club legend when much of the discontent among fans earlier in the season was beginning to focus on the chairman himself, Ferdinand has got his teeth into the role from day one. He has held individual meetings with players, been omnipresent around the club and brought in his fellow former Tottenham man Chris Ramsey, who has also made his presence felt. Ferdinand and Ramsey’s presence means it would be easy to speculate that Tim Sherwood is being lined up for Redknapp’s job. But the fact is, he is. And not only does Redknapp know it, his players do too – so what kind of performance they put in against Manchester United on Saturday will speak volumes. They know a change of manager is potentially imminent. In short, Ferdinand has taken a good look at his old club, he wants change and currently sees Redknapp as a barrier to that change. The question is whether that change can wait. QPR’s league position and away record this season suggests it can’t. please log in to view this image Ferdinand has been keen to change things since being installed by Fernandes The Daily Telegraph‘s Jason Burt gave a spot-on assessment this week of Redknapp’s increasingly tenuous excuses for Rangers’ problems – and the sentiment is certainly felt at boardroom level, where some of the manager’s comments this season have not gone down well. Redknapp had to persuade the Rangers hierarchy to bring in Rio Ferdinand, who has struggled, while the big-money signing of the injury-plagued Sandro from Tottenham is proving to be a disaster. Another major signing, Jordon Mutch, has also failed to deliver. Signings Redknapp seemed far less passionate about, such as Yun Suk-Young, Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas, have made a positive impact, and players the manager seemed to privately have reservations about at the start of the season have been key performers. So there are doubts about his judgement. The public fall-out with Adel Taarabt also weakened his position. That didn’t go down well with the powers-that-be either. This isn’t a new thing. Last season he clashed with the board over Wayne Bridge, who didn’t sign, and Yossi Benayoun, who did and made very little impact. As a result, there were already tensions and an expectation that Rangers would have a different manager this season. But Bobby Zamora’s Wembley winner changed all that. That said, Redknapp still has a good relationship with chairman Tony Fernandes, who does not want to sack him. But whereas Mark Hughes and his backroom team were given more time because there was a feeling that they were going flat-out in an attempt to turn things around, with Redknapp there is a feeling that more could be done. That is certainly the feeling among some of the players, too. Some of them, despite what they might say on the record, dislike Redknapp but are aware that he is a popular figure among the media and much of the public, so keep their head down and their gripes mostly to themselves. But that was the case as much in May, when Redknapp was a hero, as it is now. He has, however, seemed to lose some support among players in recent weeks, mainly because there is a perceived lack of drive on his part. Despite the fact he religiously attends training (rumours he doesn’t are completely false) some of the squad feel there is a lack of direction, certainly for away matches. please log in to view this image Ramsey could become first-team coach if Sherwood takes over Many fans have asked what Glenn Hoddle’s role in all this is. Hoddle has made a significant contribution since joining the coaching staff but the perception at the club is that he works around Redknapp as much as with him. He has worked with individual players who speak highly of the former England manager. For example, when the players were recently given two days off following the FA Cup debacle against Sheffield United, Hoddle went in and worked with Mauro Zarate and Taarabt. But Redknapp is still very much responsible for the bigger picture – and that includes the implications of Financial Fair Play and other possible consequences should QPR be relegated again. These are testing times for the club and the current situation, with Ferdinand and Redknapp at odds and Sherwood waiting in the wings, can’t and won’t be allowed to continue for much longer. The players could keep the Redknapp bandwagon trundling along for a while longer with a barnstorming display against United. Their performance will say a lot – because they know he’s on the brink.
I see a great deal of truth in this article... It's going to be interesting to see what happens after Utd...
"In short, Ferdinand has taken a good look at his old club, he wants change and currently sees Redknapp as a barrier to that change." .....this is what many feel. If Sir Les can see it in a short space of time and the fans can all see it, what does Harry have over Tony & co? I don't necessarily subscribe to the notion of Harry Out, but would welcome the appointment of a new manager-designate so that everyone is clear that Harry will be leaving at the end of the season come what may. This can easily provide player motivation, if the article is factual and form the basis for players to also put their reputations on the line and deliver results with good performances through to the end of the season.
That doesn't make sense to me. Saying he is going at the end of season means harry has zero motivation to keep us up, if anything he might make it worse, knowing that whatever mess he leaves behind is someone else's problem. If a change needs to be made, why wait?
The article makes sense, and David Mac has a pretty good ITK record. Tomorrow's match takes on even greater significance. If we were to win and Harry's departure was delayed, any new manager will lose what's left of the transfer window. If we lose, I think Harry will be gone pronto. Would rather have Hoddle and Sir Les than Sherwood.
I would say there's a lot of truth in this,not happy with Sherwood & Harry will only go kicking & screaming with a payout in his pocket, but better it happens sooner than later
With Harry's current form he'd probably miss the sword!... Also, if Harry were to announce he was going at the end of the season he'd be a lame-duck. Tomorrow really is the crunch, we're expected to lose so maybe that would be a longer-term win...
if carlsberg did happy endings we would win say 4 - 0 and Harold says he will stand down now and leave on a high!
It's difficult. Ths club is a farce. What have we done to deserve these back biting, incompetent twats swarming all over everything?
I am starting to feel that a change will come no matter what the result is tomorrow, because now the idea is too present in everyone's heads. The people who makes the decision will be thinking about every day and I think it'll be clear to them they must change because it's gone sour.
Great though Les was, and I am sure still is, he has no managerial experience. I'm unconvinced he's the bloke for the job. How many great players have not made it as successful managers, Keane, Ince, Shearer etc etc. Not sure I want my team to be a managerial experiment or Mr F's guinea pig.
Does Hoddle actually want the job, I wonder? There's no mention of him succeeding yet he's right there at the club. I don't get it. The only thing I can think of is that he doesn't want the job or isn't ready to get back into management.
Maybe the lack of any sort of signings is a sign he is on his way and Sherwood has his own ideas. Really do not know what is best for the club.
Not Harry, not Hoddle, not Sherwood nor Ferdinand but a proper young manager, none of that recycled lot please. Surely in the whole of Europe there has to be one?
Presuming you mean the journalists mate, the very first reply underneath that article was: "What a life it must be sitting around never revealing a single source spreading gossip. As a fan I am not happy but this is a despicable piece. I might hang around his local jobcentre after he gets his next P45." Its hard to know who's telling the truth Stan. All I know is, too many Chiefs destroy the broth...... ........or is it too many Chefs and not enough Indians?
