Mark Hughes To Replace Sacked QPR Boss Neil Warnock

Mark Hughes arrived at Loftus Road for talks on Monday afternoon as QPR moved quickly to find Neil Warnock's replacement.

Warnock was sacked as boss on Sunday evening following an indifferent start to the season in which the top-flight newcomers have picked up just five wins from their 20 matches and lie 17th in the standings.

Hughes emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to replace Warnock after chief executive Philip Beard revealed the club want to have a new boss for the weekend match against Newcastle. Hughes was partnered by advisor Kia Joorabchian.
It is understood owner Tony Fernandes will lead the talks, despite announcing on Monday he was due to fly out to China for a vital business meeting regarding his AirAsia airline.

Earlier on Monday Beard vowed the club would act 'very quickly' to bring in a new boss following Warnock's departure after 22 months in charge.

A run of eight Barclays Premier League matches without a win, in which QPR mustered just two points, cost Warnock his job, leaving the club in 17th, one point above the relegation zone. The 2-2 FA Cup third-round draw at League One MK Dons on Saturday, in which QPR grabbed a last-gasp equaliser proved to be the final straw for Fernandes.

Although the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Rafa Benitez, Roberto di Matteo, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve Bruce have been linked with the position, Hughes has been the leading candidate from the off. In arriving at the club with Joorabchian around 3pm, it now appears a matter of the Welshman simply agreeing terms.

Beard said: 'I think we've some people at the club who can help us in the very, very short term, but we'll try and move very quickly and get things sorted.

'We've some very big games coming up, not least Newcastle on Sunday and then an interesting (FA) Cup replay, with hopefully another game against Chelsea in the fourth round if we can get through the next one.

'This is a project about building for the short, medium and long term, and our intention - very strongly - is to do everything possible to stay in the Premier League this season.

'Then to build and grow the club so we can fulfill some of the ambitions, not just for the people behind the club, but more importantly than anybody, the people who support the club.'

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