Next QPR manager: Former Brentford and Rangers boss Mark Warburton set to be named Steve McClaren’s successor this week
The 56-year-old has been identified as the man to succeed Steve McClaren at Loftus Road after the club failed to land their primary target Tim Sherwood
Mark Warburton is poised to be named QPR's new manager this week.
The former Glasgow Rangers and Brentford boss, 56, has been identified as the man to succeed Steve McClaren at Loftus Road after the club failed to land their primary target Tim Sherwood.
QPR have spoken with a vast array of candidates since McClaren's sacking on April 1, including Michael Appleton, Gary Rowett and Nigel Pearson.
Former players Marc Bircham and Gareth Ainsworth were also considered for the role.
Warburton was a popular choice with the club's hierarchy owing to his record of working with young players within a restricted budget, as well as having experience managing at this level.
Warburton, who has been out of work since he left Nottingham Forest in December 2017, brought through a talented group of youngsters at Griffin Park - which included England defender James Tarkowski.
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After a dreadful 2018/19 campaign, QPR will have to cut their wage bill again this summer with several first-team players out of contract.
The club were handed a fine amounting to almost £42million last July after failing to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, and they are still feeling the effects.
Warburton will be expected to work within a tight budget and keep the west London side competitive in the second tier, in what remains a challenging period in their history.
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The 56-year-old left Brentford in 2015 and then spent two years at Rangers in Scotland before a disappointing nine-month spell at Nottingham Forest in 2017.
He guided Brentford into the Championship from League One in 2014, and also got Rangers promoted to the Scottish Premiership two years later.
QPR ended their season on a high with a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, which saw them finish 19th in the Championship table.