Mark Hughes is clinging on to his job against the backdrop of civil war at Queens Park Rangers.
The 49-year-old is facing a fight after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Southampton left them rooted at the foot of the Premier League table, without a win in 12 games.
On Sunday night, the QPR chief had not been given any assurances from co-owner Tony Fernandes, who had been unwavering in his public support of Hughes.
Fernandes is not due in the UK ahead of the weekend clash against Manchester United, but Sportsmail understands Rangers staff have been put on red alert in case the tycoon makes an unscheduled arrival.
Fernandes was upset at the manner of the loss to Southampton but is leaning towards giving Hughes more time, unless other directors can persuade him otherwise.
It is believed key shareholder Ruben Gnanalingam will be in the country before the match against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, while Hughes and Fernandes are expected to have talks this week.
An unexpected arrival of Fernandes would surely spell the end for Hughes as a growing resignation descends on Loftus Road that the manager will be sacked before the visit to Old Trafford.
The former Emirates Marketing Project boss is dividing opinion at the club. Most shareholders and board members are said to have lost faith in his management.
The same group wanted Hughes out after the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on October 27 and are seriously questioning Fernandes’s decision to stand by his manager. Many believe the key reason behind his decision not to sack Hughes is a probable hefty pay-off.
Sportsmail has also learned players have lost faith in Hughes, unimpressed with how he has addressed his side’s sorry form. The potential appointment of Harry Redknapp is openly discussed.
Representatives of the former Tottenham boss, as well as ex-Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez, have indicated their interest to QPR.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Redknapp refused to rule out becoming QPR boss: ‘Mark’s still in the position, he’s a top bloke and an excellent manager.
‘He knows what he’s about and until there’s a change, if there is one, then it would not be fair for me to discuss it.’
But even supporters slated Hughes and some of his summer signings on Saturday, chanting: ‘You’re only here for the money!’
Hughes defiantly insists Fernandes and fellow co-owner Amit Bhatia would be wrong to sack him, but has sympathised with fans who criticised his players.
‘I can understand totally the frustration of the fans and they’re well within their rights to say that but I can assure them that’s not the case,’ said Hughes.
‘Everyone is working really hard to turn this around. When you have a performance like Southampton, the fans are absolutely right to criticise, given where we are.
‘In fairness, I was of the same view. But stability is absolutely what this club needs long-term, making wholesale changes again at this club would be the wrong decision. You would expect me to say that, but I honestly believe it.’
To compound Hughes’s problems, striker Djibril Cisse was caught up in a Twitter row with a QPR fan who criticised the Frenchman.
Cisse replied with the club address and postcode, tweeting: ‘Come to the training ground, we’ll have a chat big man.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2234953/Mark-Hughes-position-causes-civil-war-QPR.html
The 49-year-old is facing a fight after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Southampton left them rooted at the foot of the Premier League table, without a win in 12 games.
On Sunday night, the QPR chief had not been given any assurances from co-owner Tony Fernandes, who had been unwavering in his public support of Hughes.
Fernandes is not due in the UK ahead of the weekend clash against Manchester United, but Sportsmail understands Rangers staff have been put on red alert in case the tycoon makes an unscheduled arrival.
Fernandes was upset at the manner of the loss to Southampton but is leaning towards giving Hughes more time, unless other directors can persuade him otherwise.
It is believed key shareholder Ruben Gnanalingam will be in the country before the match against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, while Hughes and Fernandes are expected to have talks this week.
An unexpected arrival of Fernandes would surely spell the end for Hughes as a growing resignation descends on Loftus Road that the manager will be sacked before the visit to Old Trafford.
The former Emirates Marketing Project boss is dividing opinion at the club. Most shareholders and board members are said to have lost faith in his management.
The same group wanted Hughes out after the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on October 27 and are seriously questioning Fernandes’s decision to stand by his manager. Many believe the key reason behind his decision not to sack Hughes is a probable hefty pay-off.
Sportsmail has also learned players have lost faith in Hughes, unimpressed with how he has addressed his side’s sorry form. The potential appointment of Harry Redknapp is openly discussed.
Representatives of the former Tottenham boss, as well as ex-Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez, have indicated their interest to QPR.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Redknapp refused to rule out becoming QPR boss: ‘Mark’s still in the position, he’s a top bloke and an excellent manager.
‘He knows what he’s about and until there’s a change, if there is one, then it would not be fair for me to discuss it.’
But even supporters slated Hughes and some of his summer signings on Saturday, chanting: ‘You’re only here for the money!’
Hughes defiantly insists Fernandes and fellow co-owner Amit Bhatia would be wrong to sack him, but has sympathised with fans who criticised his players.
‘I can understand totally the frustration of the fans and they’re well within their rights to say that but I can assure them that’s not the case,’ said Hughes.
‘Everyone is working really hard to turn this around. When you have a performance like Southampton, the fans are absolutely right to criticise, given where we are.
‘In fairness, I was of the same view. But stability is absolutely what this club needs long-term, making wholesale changes again at this club would be the wrong decision. You would expect me to say that, but I honestly believe it.’
To compound Hughes’s problems, striker Djibril Cisse was caught up in a Twitter row with a QPR fan who criticised the Frenchman.
Cisse replied with the club address and postcode, tweeting: ‘Come to the training ground, we’ll have a chat big man.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2234953/Mark-Hughes-position-causes-civil-war-QPR.html
