Warnock accepts defeat in bid to sign Beckham as QPR boss eyes other targets By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 1:38 PM on 13th November 2011 QPR manager Neil Warnock has already started turning his attention elsewhere after now giving up hope of signing David Beckham. Earlier this season Rangers boldly threw their hat into the ring for Beckham, latching onto his desire to play for, and potentially captain, the Great Britain team in next year's Olympics. With the Major League Soccer season due to end next Sunday with Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy taking on Dynamo Houston in the cup final, a posse of clubs have been linked with the 36-year-old midfielder. On the move? David Beckham (right) will soon be a free agent Rangers, with new owner Tony Fernandes at the helm, initially felt they could offer Beckham another new home once the January transfer window re-opens. However, that is not now going to happen according to Warnock, who was attending Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix along with players Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jay Bothroyd and Heidar Helguson as guests of Fernandes' Team Lotus. Asked whether Beckham was still an option, Warnock said: 'No, I can't see that. 'We're not there yet, we're a team in the making. We've some very important signings to make in January which we are looking at now, working on, to give us that push towards the end of the season.' Suggested to Warnock that moving for Beckham was too bold a gamble, he added: 'No, not really. Don't go! Beckham is a popular figure among the LA Galaxy fans 'I like David, he is down to earth. It wouldn't bother him playing for QPR. He would play for the local team if he had to, he is that kind of guy. 'In our case, at the moment we've very good players in those areas, and we're looking to strengthen other areas. 'So until we're an established club I think we have to get our priorities right first.' The Yas Marina Circuit, hailed by Lewis Hamilton as the best in F1, has opened Warnock's eyes to the kind of other world in which Fernandes conducts business. 'It's a different world, and everything about the facilities are remarkable. To see this set up is amazing,' added Warnock. 'I can see now Tony is trying to do for us what he has done with his racing team. Moving on: QPR boss Neil Warnock 'Everything about his involvement is so enthusiastic, he wants to do well, and it's all rubbed off. All his crew at Lotus have been superb.' Warnock appreciates, though, that as accommodating a character as Fernandes is, there is pressure to make the right decisions, that includes signing the right players again come January. 'He's given me about 247 to look at it since I've met him,' joked Warnock. 'I try and give him an answer, but he's got friends all around the world and they're always calling him, so goodness knows what it's going to be like in the run-up to January. 'But the main thing is he is very supportive, he listens to what I have to say, he doesn't always agree, which is the prerogative of any owner. 'There will be times when he will wonder why I haven't played a particular player, and that's great. 'I tell him my reasons, and then I have to hope we get a result to prove me right. If we don't, he's right.' With matches against Stoke, Norwich and West Brom to come over the next three weeks, Warnock can sense Rangers are entering a pivotal phase of their season. 'They're all difficult games in their own way - Stoke are fantastic at home, Norwich also have a really good home record, and West Brom aren't bad,' said Warnock. 'But we're playing quite well, so if we can elimate the elementary mistakes, like we did against Manchester City then we give most teams a good game.' iReader http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...eckham-wont-joining-Queens-Park-Rangers.html?
Apparently Posh is going to be an Avon Lady, whilst Becks will try his hand at Betterware. Two of the best franchises.
I know I've mentioned this before and a couple of the boys reckoned I was being paranoid but I can't get it out of my head. Some little thing in my head keeps telling me that Tony's involvement is not quite right. Every time I read stuff like the above I worry that he's just a bit too "hands on". Now I know people will say that to run a successful business you've got to be hands on and that's fine. I just can't shirk the feeling that the best Owners/Chairmen are the quiet, non-invasive ones. It is annoying me this suspicion because I know his takeover is fantastic for the Club in every other way. I guess my idea's about FC ownership are just a tad outdated and there really is no cause for concern. Hopefully.
Be honest Swords, if you put £50 million+ into a business would you want to be a bit hands-on? It's every fan's dream to do what he's doing and his business acumen has served him well up to now. Yes, we all suspect he may have a bigger plan but let's enjoy it while we can, we've waited so bloody long for this...
Cheers Sooper, I guess you're right. I'm probably looking for problems that don't exist. Time to enjoy being a Ranger again and stop fretting!
Absolutely right Swords. We should pass control back to Briatori immediately so Warnock can get on with his job without all this interference! Here's the thing: at least he can talk about this side of things now rather than being gagged as he was before. That alone is a good sign for me. And TBH with Warnock being the kind of outspoken and gritty sort that he is I can't imagine him being at any club without some degree of frank exchanges with the owners. All very healthy if you ask me. And anyway, if Tony wants to keep on pumping in the investment I personally would say just deal with it Neil!
Swords, I think he is just trying being shrewed and looking to exploit every angle of his businesses as each one has a knock on effect and doesn't want to miss a trick, just the way of the world.
Its me alright Woody. Ever since the takeover I'm as positive as they come (above comments excluded). True I was angry at people during the summer when they kept insisting we had a squad good enough for the Premier League when quite clearly we hadn't a cat in hell's chance. But now that we have, I find it amusing to see people bitching and giving out who perhaps weren't doing so when we were in the sh*ts!
