“My three years as chairman of QPR have been an exciting and incredible experience,” claimed (a presumably straight-faced) Flavio Briatore. “I’m proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.” And with that, the former Benetton fraudexec announced he was ending a tumultuous run as Rangers’ chairman, though solvency aside, it’s pretty hard to gauge how the Stuporhoops are any more poised for a run at promotion than they were prior to Briatore’s arrival. Gianni Paladini now has the honor of presiding over the R’s next managerial hiring & firing, and despite earlier denials, the Mirror’s James Nursey claims the shy, retiring Neil Warnock (above, left) is next in line to assume the poisoned chalice at Loftus Road.
Rangers hope to name Warnock as their next permanent manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal next week after Palace’s FA Cup replay at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
And Warnock is already planning to bring three of Palace’s best players with him to QPR.
Warnock, whose Palace side host Coventry today, wants to take midfielders Darren Ambrose, Neil Danns and highly-rated full-back Nathaniel Clyne to Loftus Road if he moves once compensation of around £1.5million is finalised.
The trio can all leave on loan now ahead of a permanent summer transfer as cash-strapped Palace are in administration.
Warnock is also keen on Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper on loan with a view to a full-time 500,000 pounds switch.