Ian Holloway has returned as Queens Park Rangers manager.
New Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway has told Sky Sports that he had a ‘very emotional’ phone call with owner Tony Fernandes before taking the job.
QPR chose to sack manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink last weekend after a run of just two wins in ten Championship games, with the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest proving to be the final straw.
The R’s were again left looking for a new manager, and whilst names like Tim Sherwood, Paul Clement and Karl Robinson were linked, the club went for one of their former managers in Ian Holloway.
Ian Holloway
Holloway, 53, has had a long history with QPR, from making more than 150 appearances for the club during his playing days, to spending almost five years as their manager between 2001 and 2006.
Holloway’s most recent managerial job was with Millwall, but since leaving The New Den in March 2015, he has been working for Sky Sports as a Football League pundit whilst he waited for his next opportunity in management.
QPR owner Tony Fernandes
Holloway is back in management now, and will be hoping to turn QPR around after the international break, as they currently lie down in 17th place in the Championship table after a poor run of form under Hasselbaink.
On Saturday, Holloway effectively signed off from his Sky Sports responsibilities, writing a column about landing the QPR job, stating that he told Sky Sports some time ago that he would leave if QPR ever wanted him back.
Holloway added that his phone call with QPR chairman Tony Fernandes was ‘very emotional’, as he spoke from the heart about his love for QPR, with Holloway feeling that he’s on the same wavelength as Fernandes.
Ian Holloway
“If this is a dream – then please don’t wake me up, my little heart will break,” said Holloway. “I remember when I signed my contract with Sky Sports, I told my boss Gary Hughes: “If QPR ever come calling for me, Gary, then sorry, I’m going.” And here we are. QPR did call and – 10 years after leaving the club – I’m back home. On Monday, I woke up expecting a normal day but little did I know my life was about to change.”
“I received a call saying Tony Fernandes was interested in talking to me, to see if I had any interest in the job. My heart started beating faster. Was this really happening? An hour later, I spoke to Tony and was bowled over by his enthusiasm for the club. It was a very emotional phone call. I spoke about the club from the heart and he was on my wavelength very quickly. Despite a couple of bumps in the road, he’s still got the desire and love needed to take this club forward,” he added.
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