QPR draw up shortlist of Sherwood, Paul Clement and McClaren

QPR have drawn up a three-man shortlist featuring Tim Sherwood, Paul Clement and Steve McClaren, with the chairman, Tony Fernandes, eager to speak to all three about the vacant managerial position at Loftus Road.


While the likelihood remains that Sherwood, who has been out of work since leaving Tottenham Hotspur last summer, will ultimately take up the reins at the west London club, Fernandes will sound out Clement and McClaren to see whether either would be willing to take on the challenge of steering QPR to Premier League safety.

No permanent appointment is expected before the weekend when Kevin Bond and Chris Ramsey will take charge of the team for the game against Southampton, seeking a first win in eight games, with input from Les Ferdinand in the stands.

Ferdinand, who was promoted from “head of football operations” to “director of football” on Wednesday morning, will wield a considerable influence when it comes to identifying Harry Redknapp’s successor – the 67-year-old having resigned on Tuesday citing medical reasons – and will champion Sherwood’s candidacy for the head coach role that the club will now favour in a rejigged structure.

The pair worked closely at Spurs, alongside Ramsey, and contact has been made with the former Norwich and Blackburn midfielder to explore the possibility of luring him back into top-flight management.

Yet Fernandes, who has stressed he is seeking a candidate to take over with the “long-term” in mind, is eager to consider all options and will check whether either McClaren or Clement is enthusiastic about taking on the challenge at the club who languish 19th in the Premier League.

McClaren spent time on Redknapp’s coaching staff last season, impressing the squad with his enthusiasm and innovation at training, before taking up the managerial position at Derby County, who ended up losing to QPR in the play-off final last May.

His team have recovered their poise admirably this term and are currently in an automatic promotion place in the second tier, only behind the leaders Bournemouth on goal difference, and it is understood the former England manager recently indicated to Newcastle United – in the wake of Alan Pardew’s departure – that he is committed to County. That would suggest the likelihood of a return to Loftus Road now is slim.

Clement has forged an impressive CV while working as Carlo Ancelotti’s trusted No2 at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid and has made no secret of his desire to move into management back in England at some stage in the future. Furthermore, the 43-year-old boasts close family ties with QPR, for whom his father, Dave, played 472 league games between 1965 and 1979. Yet whether he would be willing to up sticks mid-season from Madrid, where Real currently top La Liga and aspire to retain the Champions League, remains in serious doubt.

That would leave Sherwood, who is currently taking his Uefa Pro Licence with the Football Association of Wales, still as the likeliest appointment as QPR attempt to remain in the division.

The 45-year-old had come close to taking on jobs at West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace since leaving White Hart Lane last summer but, while he is eager for a return to management, he may need some convincing that QPR have the quality to survive this season with only 15 games to play.

“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,” said Fernandes on Twitter.

“The names that fans are mentioning to me are names that we are going to consider. I would say three interviews will be done. All fan feedback has been taken in. I want to thank Harry for all he’s done and being gracious in his words about the club. And Glenn [Hoddle] and Joe [Jordan].” Those last two have now left the coaching staff after Redknapp’s resignation.



By Dominic Fifield and David Hytner, Guardian