Tony Fernandes has revealed he hopes Harry Redknapp will stay at Queens Park Rangers beyond the summer, even if he is no longer manager.
Redknapp is in the final year of his contract at Loftus Road, but it reluctant to consider a new deal before the club have secured their place in the Premier League. The 67-year-old led the Hoops into the top-flight last season, but they have found life amongst the elite difficult, with Monday’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa only their second of the season and first since August.
QPR remain in the relegation zone, but after their triumph over Paul Lambert’s side, are just two points from safety. Speculation has been growing over the immediate future of Redknapp for the past few weeks, let alone the long-term, but chairman Fernandes has revealed he hopes the experience coach stays on at the club beyond the summer, even if this is in a different capacity.
“It’s up to Harry whether he wants to continue as well,” he told Sky Sports. “I hope, if he decides management is not for him next year, or the year after, or whenever, then he still has a role. I don’t know, we haven’t discussed this. Harry is a man who was tipped to be England manager, and he got us promoted. Harry is my man. It is not in vogue to say that, but I stand by my manager.”
Redknapp’s side will now hope to build on their win over Villa and continue to climb the table, but there would appear to be little chance of a successive win as they travel to Chelsea on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s team are top of the table and remain unbeaten after nine matches, but Manchester United proved there is a way past them as they pinched a 1-1 draw with them on Sunday.
If Redknapp is to stay at QPR beyond this season, would it be better for all concerned if he takes up a role on the board? Let us know what you think by joining the discussion below.
