One Season Down and Non the Wiser

Sometimes after watching a strenuous Kevin Costner film, you suddenly think to yourself - ‘What a waste of three hours!’

Well Queens Park Rangers must be thinking similar circles, as they must be thinking - ‘What a waste of a season!’

Looking back at the beginning of the season, QPR promised so much. As the season progressed they never kicked on, Premier League football in the next two seasons was the promise.

Now they are one season down and none the wiser.

Iain Dowie has been and gone, Paulo Sousa only lasted 26 games. Now Gareth Ainsworth will see out the season. Not quite preparations for next season’s onslaught as they head bosses had have hoped.

Continuity is always important and the mega rich owners have patience as thin as Kate Moss. They demand instant success.

Success needs to be a product worked on and the players added to the current QPR squad are good enough to push promotion but they need more time adjust and play with each other to make them a very competitive team.

They have every foundation and credentials to make it but now their next managerial appointment needs to know he has some time to turn outsiders for the playoffs into promotion contenders.

Peterborough’s Darren Ferguson is touted as the next man to accept the post but this may not be the best way to go.

No doubt, he is an upcoming manager that is destined for great things but working at Peterborough for another season or so will help him develop and become a better manager. The Posh’s run may be a flash in a pan but if he can have three somewhat successful seasons he would be in a better position to do well.

Paul Ince’s decline showed a man who was not ready in an environment that was unknown to him, especially with so little experience. Gareth Southgate, for example, knows Middlesbrough and that is why he has done well.

They may be better to go for someone who has a ‘been there and done it’ T-shirt. The chairman and co-owner Flavio Briatore has now had four managers and two caretakers in a year-and-a-half, hardly ideal preparations to mount a promotion charge.

QPR now have one season to fulfil their Premier League promise but it would take one special managerial appointment, a skill obviously lacking from the Formula 1 maestro.

(Champ Corner, Football Fancast, 2009)

Sousa new man at the helm

So the funfair continues at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers have appointed Paula Sousa as their new first-team coach, taking over from caretaker Gareth Ainsworth.
Flavio Briatore placed player/coach Ainsworth at the helm following the surprise sacking of Iain Dowie. Briatore had a major say in team affairs under Ainsworth and that is why many big-named English managers chose to stay out of the running because of the involvement of the board.
Ainsworth was initial favourite to get the job before QPRs defeat to Burnley last Saturday leaving them a disappointing tenth in the league.
Sousa had a very successful club-playing career where he had spells with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma, and Borussia Dortmund. He won consecutive Champions League trophies in 1996 and 1997 with Juventus and Dortmund respectively.
The 38 year old was one of the most celebrated and highly regarded Portuguese footballers in the modern game. He was a classic defensive midfielder, hunting down every ball and possessing the ability to provide precision passes for the rest of his teammates to take the glory. He played 51 times for his country without scoring and QPR can hope he can take his organisation qualities and motivation skills into management.
He has very limited experience as a coach with only a small stint as assistant coach of the national side to his name; he will have his work cut out in the Championship.
Briatore decided to act and instantly installed Sousa to carry the club forward. He described Sousa appointment as “very good for this football club.”
Briatore he added: “He has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach.”
Sousa was the assistant coach for the Portuguese national side before accepting the role. He told the QPR’s website: “It is an honour to be part of this project.
“I have always wanted to work for a big club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for Queens Park Rangers.
“I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management.
“I believe in playing positive, attacking football and am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”
Sousa first started to know Briatore from his time in Italy where they clawed up a close bond. Now Sousa takes over and have already drafted in Bolton Wanderers striker Heidar Helguson on loan to supply another attacking threat.
The QPR faithful will be excited at the thought of flair and attack minded philosophy that has been promised. They may be worried about Sousa’s lack of experience and knowledge of the English game but it is another new start for QPR. Those fans just hope they can see a manager to stay around long enough to imply their ideas upon the club and see some benefits.