Not even the lure of acquiring Radek Cerny nor the comforts of a Brentford apartment were enough keep Luigi De Canio at Queens Park Rangers after a mere 6 months in charge writes the Times’ Gary Jacob :
Queens Park Rangers parted company with Luigi De Canio (above, left) yesterday but could not put to bed rumours that they have lined up Zinédine Zidane as a replacement. The former France captain has been discussed as a successor with the knowledge of Flavio Briatore, the co-owner of the Coca-Cola Championship club, but it is unclear whether the Italian is willing to match his ambition with a significant outlay to try to secure a deal.
As a signal of Briatore™s intentions, QPR are close to signing a deal with Real Madrid to loan players between the clubs. Briatore™s discussions with Ramón Calderón, his friend and the Madrid president, prompted Zidane to be mentioned as a possible manager at Loftus Road. Also under consideration are Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren, should the club decide to appoint an English manager.
Bernie Ecclestone, the QPR co-owner, denied that he had spoken to Zidane. œI can say 100 per cent categorically ˜no™ to stories that we have spoken to Zidane, Ecclestone said. œWe have known for six months that the coach would be leaving and we have to draw up the shortlist, but Zidane™s name is not on it.
Let me be the first to propose Rangers bring back Gerry Francis for a third spell a Stuporhoops manager. I don’t actually think he’d do a particularly good job, but it would be fantastic to see him Briatore combing each other’s hair, just once.