Paulo Sousa, the 'Smooth Bastard' who took over as manager at Queens Park Rangers just five months ago has been sacked with immediate effect. The circumstances of his dismissal are mysterious to say the least, as the news broke on the club's official website under the seemingly innocuous title 'CLUB STATEMENT'.
The statement then reads, matter of factly, Queens Park Rangers has today had to terminate Paulo De Sousa's employment with immediate effect. It came to the club's attention that Mr De Sousa had, without authority, divulged highly confidential and sensitive information. The club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position. Player/coach Gareth Ainsworth will take Caretaker charge on a temporary basis, from now until the end of the season.
Queens Park Rangers fans will probably be asking themselves what on earth has Paulo Sousa said that made the club react in this manner, and what the hell have the club got to hide? Did Mr Sousa explain to the press exactly how the owners operate at the club, did he complain about a lack of funds from the board? Did he say there was another West London club and owner who are down the road that are better on and off the field? It seems we may never know as the statement ends stating 'The club will be making no further comment'. One things for sure, this could make for a 'damned' good novel, perhaps even a film adaptation? Michael Sheen can probably play the lead.
The hierarchy that is in place at Queens Park Rangers, which has silver foxed playboys Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone at the top of the tree along with Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal have already gained a 'Deadly' Doug Ellis like reputation for sacking managers and they have only been in place since 2007. Since the topdog millionaires have been in charge no fewer than 5 managers have sat in the dugout attempting to take the wealthiest team in the Championship into the dizzy new heights of the Premier League. With rumours of Briatore being more than hands on in terms of player selection at Loftus Road, it is small wonder there is such a high turnover in the West London's hot seat. He has employed both British (Iain Dowie) and international managers (Luigi Di Canio and Paulo Sousa) but no one has managed to survive the intense expectation, not just from the fans, but from 'The Hierarchy'.
Paulo Sousa, a quality defensive midfielder and Portuguese international in his playing days, is not making such a good transition to management, having been assistant to Carlos Queiroz for the struggling Portuguese national team, and now failing to create a winning team at Queens Park Rangers. It is hard to see where his next job will be, perhaps a return to his native Portugal at club level, or a return to being a number 2 is on the cards?
Despite a good quality squad with lots of Premiership experience, Sousa struggled to win games before his departure. So did Iain Dowie, who was also sacked this season, having only been in charge for 15 games. Despite the experienced professionals, such as Radek Cerny and Fitz Hall and the flair of Wayne Routledge and Adel Taarabt, Queens Park Rangers are sitting mid table in 10th position with the prospects of reaching the playoffs looking as likely as Paulo Sousa asking for grooming tips from Iain Dowie.
Injuries have hampered their season, with Akos Buzsaky, Rowan Vine and Martin Rowlands all ruled out for large parts of the season. Takeovers of clubs, following the precedent of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, are widely expected to be instantaneous successes, so after two seasons without promotion, are the impossibly rich owners going to lose interest or spend big in the summer to guarantee it?
They have metamorphosed Queens Park Rangers of old, synonymous with Stan Bowles, Les Ferdinand and Andy Impey and instead the club has become a playground for the rich and famous. The tight, atmospheric Loftus Road hosts celebrities such as Tamara Beckwith and Naomi Campbell in the executive boxes, as the supporters sit in their seats despite raised match ticket prices and the fact Loftus Road features obstructed viewing. To top it off the the club emblem was re-designed to look like a regal crest fit for kings. The owners unveiled the emblem claiming it was the first step to seeing Queens Park Rangers as a 'Global brand'.
So what now for Queens Park Rangers? Who is going to take the job of being the 'co' manager with Flavio Briatore and can they stay in the job and provide continuity and stability to a club clearly struggling to fulfill its potential. What's more can they A) only speak when they are spoken to B) not be mediocre and get the sack or C) in Mick Harford's case, be quite good but get the boot anyway?
Gareth Ainsworth, like a long suffering best friend has to pick up the pieces as caretaker manager for the second time in a single season to clear up the mess an ex has left QPR in, and if he proves himself capable perhaps he is the man to bring stability and success back to the club. The winger, who has played for the Hoops since 2003 and plays in a rock n' roll band in his spare time could just be appointed in the long term by Flavio and his capitalist cohorts. But then again, he might not need to appoint anyone at all...
Ross Verbals
