Tim Sherwood is favourite to succeed Harry Redknapp as next QPR manager

Sherwood is the leading contender for the managerial vacancy at QPR after a day of restructuring and the outlining a new approach at Loftus Road which suggested plans were already in place for Redknapp’s departure.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood is the leading contender for the managerial vacancy at QPR. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Tim Sherwood is the leading contender for the managerial vacancy at QPR after a day of restructuring and the outlining a new approach at Loftus Road which suggested plans were already in place for Harry Redknapp’s departure.

Sherwood is favourite to succeed Redknapp, who resigned on Tuesday, with the former Tottenham manager’s chances seemingly increasing after Les Ferdinand was appointed director of football in a restructuring of the coaching staff.

Three candidates are likely to be interviewed, owner Tony Fernandes said, with Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement and former England boss Steve McClaren, who had a short spell at Loftus Road before being appointed Derby manager, potential options.

“We the board will hire someone who cares, thinks long term, wants to be involved in developing the academy, has coaching skills, will play young players and is a winner,” Fernandes wrote on Twitter.

“The names that fans are mentioning to me are names that we are going to consider. I would say 3 interview will e (sic) done. All fan feedback has been taken in.”

Ferdinand, the former striker who returned to Loftus Road last October as head of football operations, was on Wednesday named QPR director of football as part of a coaching restructuring in the wake of Redknapp’s resignation.

Redknapp cited the need for immediate knee surgery as the reason for his departure, but rumours abound of conflict over transfers, while QPR’s struggles include the failure to secure a single point from 11 matches away from home this term.

It was also confirmed officially that Glenn Hoddle and Joe Jordan had followed Redknapp in leaving QPR.

It remains to be seen if an appointment will be made in time for Saturday’s match at home to Southampton, with Ferdinand currently in caretaker charge of the first team, alongside Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond.

Ramsey is scheduled to speak publicly on Friday in the pre-match media conference.

The restructuring, with Ferdinand’s role redefined to take responsibility for the whole football department, could mean a head coach is sought, rather than a manager.

That, coupled with Derby’s upward trajectory, could see McClaren rule himself out of contention.

Ferdinand is likely to have a say in the appointment, boosting Sherwood’s chances of a return following his departure from White Hart Lane last May. Ferdinand and Ramsey worked with Sherwood at Tottenham.

The familiar faces at QPR suggest it is a strong fit for the former midfielder, who won the Premier League title with Blackburn but would have to get his head around a survival fight with Rangers 19th in the table.

Ferdinand’s impact was lauded by Fernandes, who has revealed changes to QPR’s strategy with the nurturing of young talent more important than delving into the transfer market.

Fernandes said in a statement: “Premier League survival is our priority in the short term, but in the medium and long term we want to make sure everything is in place, from the academy upwards, to create a culture and philosophy within the club that QPR fans can be proud of.”

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