Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has today become the new favourite to become the permanent Queens Park Rangers manager. Earlier today, recently sacked Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood was installed as the favourite, but has now been overtaken.
It is no secret that there have been approaches from other clubs to prize the Dutchman away from the Pirelli Stadium. Earlier this season, the Brewers revealed that they rejected an approach from a Championship club to speak to him, with Rotherham United believed to have been that club. However with the Loftus Road club now looking for a new manager, it looks like they may have identified their number one choice.
Whilst Sherwood would be an ‘easier’ appointment in the sense that he is without a club and is close friends with the likes of QPR Director of Football Les Ferdinand, there are attractions to bringing Hasselbaink to the capital. Hasselbaink has already proven himself in management, gaining promotion to League One last season and guiding them to the top of the table in this campaign. Sherwood has only proven himself over a short-term basis, based on taking over first-team affairs at both Villa and previous Tottenham.
Hasselbaink undoubtedly would love to prove himself at a higher level, and whilst not many expected it in pre-season, there is still the chance Burton Albion could reach the Championship next season. However the chance to reach the promised land of the Premier League is perhaps more realistic with QPR. It remains to be seen if an approach is made in the coming days, however the international break would represent a good opportunity for Tony Fernandes and Ferdinand to hire a new man.
Neil Warnock has been placed in temporary charge, however he isn’t expected to earn the role on a long-term basis. There is the option of keeping him until the end of the season, although that could be dependent on recent form. Chris Ramsey was dismissed from his role yesterday following an indifferent start to the season. Nevertheless, it is certainly an intriguing time to be a Queens Park Rangers supporter.
