Post by El Morto La Hoja! on Jun 3, 2009 12:00:33 GMT -1
QPR have named former Ipswich boss Jim Magilton as their new manager - and his immediate mandate will be to mount a promotion push.
The 40-year-old, who was sacked by the Tractor Boys in April after failing to guide them into the Championship play-offs, has signed a two-year deal at Loftus Road.
Magilton will now be expected to ensure Rangers are challenging for promotion back to the Premier League after a disappointing 11th-placed finish last term.
"There is a very strong group here and with one or two additions we can expect to be in a position to drastically improve upon last season," he said.
Magilton becomes the fifth permanent manager at the west London club since chairman and co-owner Flavio Briatore arrived on the scene in October 2007.
John Gregory, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa have all come and gone, along with caretakers Mick Harford and Gareth Ainsworth - who has been at the helm twice.
With the wealth of Briatore and fellow investors Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal at the club's disposal, Magilton will be expected to mount a swift challenge.
The former Northern Ireland, Ipswich and Southampton midfielder was given funds at Portman Road, but despite falling short last season he has impressed Briatore.
"We had an incredibly high number of applicants, but Jim was the stand-out candidate for the role," said Briatore.
"We (the board) sat down with him on four separate occasions over the last month to discuss our goals and ambitions and he has really impressed with his knowledge, understanding and passion for football.
"He did a very good job at Ipswich Town, playing some fine, attacking football, and he has great ambition to achieve in this next chapter of his managerial career. We are all really looking forward to working with him."
Magilton, who will name his assistant manager in the coming weeks, added: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of managing this great football club.
"The board are highly ambitious, but they are very realistic at the same time. I have huge ambitions to achieve as a manager though, and our aim is to keep progressing, year after year."
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Another midtable finish for you then
