Ian Holloway returned to Queens Park Rangers earlier this month.
Les Ferdinand has admitted to Get West London that Ian Holloway’s name did not come up for a long time after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s exit from Queens Park Rangers.
However, that is only because they did not think that the new R’s boss was interested in leaving his position at Sky Sports.
Holloway, who spent 10 years at QPR as both a player and manager, returned to Loftus Road at the start of the month and won his first game back at the helm against Norwich City on Saturday.
High-profile names Tim Sherwood, Gianfranco Zola and Paul Clement were among the bookmakers favourites to succeed Hasselbaink, but Ferdinand, the R’s director of football, says contact was made as soon as the club learnt of Holloway’s interest.
From there, things fell into place fairly quickly, with only six days elapsing between managers.
“To be honest, his name didn’t come up for a long time until we were made aware that Ian would be interested,” Ferdinand told Get West London.
“Last time, when we were looking for a manager, his name didn’t come up as we knew he was comfortable at Sky. The reason why his name came up was he’d promised Sky he was going to be there for a year. This time, he’d said the only club he’d leave for was QPR.
“We were made aware of that so contact was made. We had the conversation and what we’re trying to do. He was excited by the group of players and felt he could make them better. He understands the football club and the fans and what was needed. It was an obvious choice for us.”
Holloway’s return has proved universally popular it seems, although the QPR fans aren’t the only ones delighted with the 53-year-old’s appointment, according to Ferdinand.
“He did a few somersaults and cartwheels and when he landed, he thought it was the right choice,” said the former R’s striker of chairman Tony Fernandes.
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