Look Hughes missing... under-fire QPR boss skips training amid battle to cling on to

Look Hughes missing... under-fire QPR boss skips training amid battle to cling on to job

Mark Hughes was reportedly absent from QPR training today in the clearest indication yet that his tenure at Loftus Road is set to end.
Rangers players seemed in buoyant mood at the club’s Harlington HQ, despite them languishing at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table with a measley four points – and no victories.
Sportsmail understands that Hughes' is in an extremely vulnerable position but his job is safe - for now.
Former Wales and Manchester City boss Hughes appeared not to take the field for the session – as these pictures show.

The 49-year-old, however, was photographed leaving the training ground in his car – shortly followed by QPR chief executive Phillip Beard.
Hughes' apparent absence has led to speculation that he was in crunch talks with Beard over his managerial future.
Hughes, who has also managed Blackburn and Fulham, has been on the brink since Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Southampton during which fans chanted the name of Harry Redknapp.
Last night, the QPR chief had not been given any assurances from co-owner Tony Fernandes, who had been unwavering in his public support of Hughes.
Fernandes is not due in the UK ahead of the weekend clash against Manchester United, but Sportsmail understands Rangers staff have been put on red alert in case the tycoon makes an unscheduled arrival.


Where's the boss?
The club’s co-owner was upset at the manner of the loss to Southampton but is leaning towards giving Hughes more time, unless other directors can persuade him otherwise.
It is believed key shareholder Ruben Gnanalingam will be in the country before the match against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, while Hughes and Fernandes are expected to have talks this week.
An unexpected arrival of Fernandes would surely spell the end for Hughes as a growing resignation descends on Loftus Road that the manager will be sacked before the visit to Old Trafford.
The former Manchester City boss is dividing opinion at the club. Most shareholders and board members are said to have lost faith in his management.
The same group wanted Hughes out after the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on October 27 and are seriously questioning Fernandes’s decision to stand by his manager. Many believe the key reason behind his decision not to sack Hughes is a probable hefty pay-off.
Sportsmail has also learned players have lost faith in Hughes, unimpressed with how he has addressed his side’s sorry form. The potential appointment of Harry Redknapp is openly discussed.

Representatives of the former Tottenham boss, as well as ex-Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez, have indicated their interest to QPR.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Redknapp refused to rule out becoming QPR boss: ‘Mark’s still in the position, he’s a top bloke and an excellent manager.
‘He knows what he’s about and until there’s a change, if there is one, then it would not be fair for me to discuss it.’
But even supporters slated Hughes and some of his summer signings on Saturday, chanting: ‘You’re only here for the money!’
Hughes defiantly insists Fernandes and fellow co-owner Amit Bhatia would be wrong to sack him, but has sympathised with fans who criticised his players.

‘I can understand totally the frustration of the fans and they’re well within their rights to say that but I can assure them that’s not the case,’ said Hughes.
‘Everyone is working really hard to turn this around. When you have a performance like Southampton, the fans are absolutely right to criticise, given where we are.
‘In fairness, I was of the same view. But stability is absolutely what this club needs long-term, making wholesale changes again at this club would be the wrong decision. You would expect me to say that, but I honestly believe it.’
To compound Hughes’s problems, striker Djibril Cisse was caught up in a Twitter row with a QPR fan who criticised the Frenchman.
Cisse replied with the club address and postcode, tweeting: ‘Come to the training ground, we’ll have a chat big man.’





By **** we had a narrow escape there though

 

Rumours circulating he has been sacked.

How come according to Not 606 you posted this at 8:22pm. Are you on a different timeline to the rest of us?

 

aye mate amsterdam is an hour in front

 

Skips training to hold on to his job strange

 

I hope they hang fire and wait until we've played them to appoint Redknapp, can imagine him really getting them fired up. They're still a bit of a shambles in terms of balance though, all fancy names and no real substance.

 

And of course Bobby Zamora

 

ffs , doh. What a stupid tw*t I am.