Harry Redknapp quits QPR: 'I can't give 100 per-cent' says manager

Harry Redknapp to leave QPR        

Harry Redknapp has resigned as manager of Queens Park Rangers less than 24 hours after the club’s dismal failure to land anyone on January transfer deadline day.

The club are yet to secure a single point away from Loftus Road and sit in the relegation zone with 19 points from 23 games. Having won five games this season, Redknapp leaves QPR in 19th position, a point adrift of 17th-placed Burnley.

Redknapp offered his resignation earlier today which was accepted by the club’s board, and he is also due to undergo major knee surgery in a few weeks that has contributed to his exit.

Redknapp told qpr.co.uk: “I have had such a fantastic time at QPR. I would like to thank the Board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.

“Sadly I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks. It means I won’t be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can’t give 100 per-cent I feel it’s better for someone else to take over the reins.

 

 

“My relationship with Tony Fernandes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success. I am confident they will survive in the Premier League this year.”

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes, who announced on Twitter early on deadline day that the “chequebook was closed” unless any extraordinary deals arose, expressed his thanks to Redknapp.

On behalf of the Board, QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry for everything he has done for QPR during his time in charge.

“We part on good terms and I would personally like to wish him all the best for the future.”

Redknapp’s shock announcement comes after the club failed to make a single addition in the final 24 hours of the transfer window. The club at one point were on the trail of landing Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor on loan until the end of the season, but the Togolese had reservations about joining a club mired in a relegation battle, and ultimately West Ham moved ahead in the race of his signature before any move away from Spurs fell through.
The longer the day went by, the less likely it seemed that QPR would secure any new players, and Fernandes would go on to post on Twitter that the club were done for the day,
“No more cheque book,” Fernandes posted. “We have good players. Bought all the players manager asked for in summer [sic]. Our players not mercenaries. Good guys.
“If something intresting[sic] comes up we would look at it. But I'm not optimistic. Given the right motivation, tactics and coaching we can achieve much more.”
Rangers only made two signings over the last 33 days, with Mauro Zarate arriving on loan from the Hammers. However, Zarate has only made one appearance for the club after coming off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Burnley, and QPR attempted to terminate the loan deal and sign Matt Jarvis in his place only to be informed by the Premier League that they cannot take two players on loan from the same club in on transfer window.
Interestingly, as The Independent's Glenn Moore pointed out, Redknapp underwent knee surgery in 2013 during the pre-season period, but did not feel it necessary to resign at the time.