QPR sack Neil Critchley as manager after just two months with club 17th in table

19 February 2023 , 19:09

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Neil Critchley's last QPR game was a defeat at Middlesbrough (Image: Anna Gowthorpe/REX/Shutterstock)

QPR have sacked manager Neil Critchley after just two months at the helm, with coaches Iain Brunskill and Mike Garrity also departing.

Critchley, who previously spent time on Liverpool's coaching staff and as manager of Blackpool, took over in west London in December. Predecessor Michael Beale had left the previous month to take over at Rangers north of the border.

The manager has been dismissed after a run of 10 Championship games without victory. QPR lost their last three in the league, including a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

QPR have acted after a long winless run (Anna Gowthorpe/REX/Shutterstock)

"Neil Critchley has left QPR with immediate effect," a club statement read. "Critchley joined the club in December, overseeing one win during 12 games in charge.

QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: "It is hugely disappointing to have to make such a decision so early into Neil’s tenure with the club. However, after seeing the team slip from play-off contenders to one being drawn into a relegation battle, the Board felt it had to act.

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"There is no doubt Neil inherited a difficult situation when he joined and we would like to acknowledge his superb work ethic and professionalism throughout our dealings. He is a fantastic man and we have no doubts he will go on to be a success elsewhere, just as he was at Blackpool."

Neil Critchley's only QPR win came against Preston in December (James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)

Critchley won away at Preston in December, just a week after taking the reins. However, that would prove to be his only victory as QPR manager, and his team suffered an FA Cup elimination at the hands of Fleetwood Town in addition to their league struggles.

QPR briefly sat top of the league in October and were still seventh in the table when the World Cup break began. Beale left during that break, though, and the run of five points from the last 10 matches has spelled the end for Critchley with the team down in 17th - eight points above the relegation zone.

"Unfortunately, things have not worked out how any of us would have liked," R's Director of Football Les Ferdinand said. "As we enter into a critical stage of the season, we understand the need for a swift appointment to be made.

"Stability is key to the success of a football club and this season has presented challenges which have denied us that stability. For us to move forward we must all learn from what has happened and pull together."

Tom Victor