Loftus Road club parts company with manager

Queens Park Rangers have parted company with manager Luigi De Canio by mutual consent, the Club announced today.

“The Club would like to place on the record its thanks to Luigi for his contribution to QPR and wish him all the best for a successful future,” a Club statement said.

“Mr De Canio also wants to express his gratitude for the opportunity to manage Queens Park Rangers and also for the fantastic experience he has had during his time in England,” the statement said.

The Italian took charge at Loftus Road last October, signing a three-year deal. QPR were at the bottom end of the Championship at the time, but De Canio eventually led them to 14th place.

The Club is owned by F1 head Bernie Ecclestone, Renault Formula One chief Flavio Briatore and the family of the richest man in Britain, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. Their funds allowed De Canio to buy several players, including Fitz Hall, Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine.

There is now speculation that former France midfielder Zindedine Zidane is being considered for the Loftus Road job.

But the Club’s statement gave away no clues as to who might take over from De Canio: “An announcement on a successor will be made in due course,” it said.

Before his move to Loftus Road, De Canio had spent his entire career coaching in Italy, managing a host of clubs including Siena, Genoa, Napoli and Reggina.

8 May 2008