With the departure of Ian Holloway earlier this month, Queens Park Rangers fans have largely reacted with a mix of confusion and bemusement to the appointment the other day of former England manager Steve McClaren to the job.
đź‘‹ #WelcomeBackMac pic.twitter.com/NX8nplae8c
— QPR FC (@QPR) May 18, 2018
McClaren has history at Loftus Road, he spent a brief period (three months) as a coach at the club during Harry Redknapp’s time here five odd years ago and in his interview yesterday with the Official Site as he was officially unveiled to the media, he was certainly saying the right things in terms of the traditions at the club, praise for the owners and fans and saying that he believed there was a desire to ‘invest’ to take us back to the Premier League.
✍️ Steve McClaren is back at #QPR as the club’s new manager.
▶️ https://t.co/t6EMq2u9MG#WelcomeBackMac pic.twitter.com/Bf3EIf7Bqo
— QPR FC (@QPRFC) May 18, 2018
It was that ambition that apparently attracted him to us, as well as the potential to build a squad for the future given the youngsters we have on our books.
???? Steve McClaren previously worked with #QPR in 2013 – and is delighted to be back.
▶️ https://t.co/t6EMq2u9MG#WelcomeBackMac pic.twitter.com/bZrSszdGfr
— QPR FC (@QPRFC) May 18, 2018
Whilst Steve was certainly saying the right thing in his interviews, he did comment that over the past couple of years the club had been ‘getting the house in order’ and that meant his first job was to build on that without any particular targets in mind for 2018/19. QPR fans weren’t slow to come forward with their thoughts on the appointment and for many with no targets set, they won’t be setting any expectations either.
The commiserations didn’t just come from QPR fans on social media.
Making millions from getting sacked! I might try it
— John Ryan (@JohnRyan87) May 18, 2018
Wonder who’s had more season tickets chucked at them
— Shaun Bosomworth (@shaunbosomworth) May 19, 2018
the dinosaurs go round and round …
— patrick (@PatrickBescoby) May 20, 2018
Welcome to relegation QPR. What a bizarre appointment.
— Jaime Randle (@JaimeRandle) May 19, 2018
League one is calling.????
— Eddie (@Eddieolifanto) May 19, 2018
How does he keep landing these jobs? #luckiestmaninfootball
— Pete Williams (@pedmend) May 19, 2018
OFFS is this some kind of joke????
— Steven Price (@ampthetex) May 19, 2018
This decision is totally insane.
— Marc McBride (@SpabbaRanks) May 19, 2018
Unbelievable. Sacking the manager to appoint a worse alternative. I give up this leadership
— StĂĄle Slettebø (@elatss) May 18, 2018
Some were more willing to give him a chance though.
Wish you all the very best Steve (Gaffer) you have my full support as manager of @QPRFC ????????????
— Joe Hylton (@JoeHylton1) May 18, 2018
Think the opposite, being a Rams fan he got us playing some cracking football 1st time around and as you lot will know in the play off final we should have won it but didn’t. Show some faith because I’d expect you lot to be top half next season????
— Bigsheep (@Bigsheep10) May 18, 2018
One of the top managers in England
— George Mizon (@GeorgeMizon1) May 19, 2018
Trying to get excited by the appt, but he's struggled as a manager over the past few years. Fingers crossed he can do a 'Roy Hodgson' @QPRFC #WelcomeBackMac
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans61) May 19, 2018
Give the fella a chance at least.
— george (@George_QPR) May 18, 2018
Welcome Steve! Very happy with this! #QPR
— Timo Lohi (@TimoLohi) May 18, 2018
QPR fans will be keeping everything crossed that this doesn’t turn out as badly as many fear. A repeat of his work at Derby County when he had them on the verge of promotion would certainly be welcomed by all, even if the vast majority would not put money on that being the outcome.
