(Briatore : kind of like the George Steinbrenner of lower division soccer, sans the winning)

Employing longball tactics that recalled, well, the dullest, most spirit-sapping days of Gerry Francis’ 2nd tenure at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart is hitting the bricks after just 5 matches in charge of the Stupor Hoops. Assistant Mick Harford is the new interim manager, the second time the former Luton Town striker has held such a position with QPR.

A 3-2, FA Cup 3rd round defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday before fewer than 5000 fans was apparently the last straw for Hart, who became the 10th manager terminated in 3 years by Flavio Briatore, who seems even better at firing people than he is at rigging Formula One races.