By Adam Boxer
JIM Magilton was recently appointed as manager of Queens Park Rangers but sections of supporters cannot share the club’s optimism
The announcement came as no surprise to many as Magilton’s name had been linked with the vacant post at Loftus Road following the end of the campaign.
Indeed it was on May 19 that the Daily Mail confirmed that the former Ipswich boss was in discussions with Rangers before a move finally came to fruition last week (Wednesday) after an extended period of waiting.
The most surprising aspect concerning the appointment of the former Northern Ireland international was the reaction from sections of supporters, who were evidently underwhelmed by the idea of Magilton taking the helm.
“I myself am very happy with the appointment and cannot wait for Magilton to prove everybody wrong.” |
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| by gavqpr | ||
It became startlingly clear that those who had the most vehement accusations against our illustrious owner, Mr Briatore, were beginning to resemble and embody the key characteristics of their complaints.
Impatience and petulance are two of the criticisms that have been levelled at Mr Briatore and the board with regard to their past actions, but the outpouring of vitriol and anger by a minority concerning this latest appointment has certainly caused surprise.
Of course most will get behind the new manager and the side, indeed if the official website is to be believed just about everybody ever affiliated with QPR backs the appointment of Magilton, but there are some who do not share their optimism.
A friend of Vital QPR on Facebook has gone as far to say he would rather be playing lower league football than be under what he calls, ‘the laughing stock Briatore has made us.’ While some will share in general his disappointment to date, is this the kind of message that a new manager will want to hear coming into a new role?
Indeed the ‘laughing stock’ the gentleman refers to can also be traced back to the supporters themselves, who against Magilton`s Ipswich live on Sky booed captain Gavin Mahon in what was a poor team performance – or even further back depending on your trail of thought.
It must be said however that while this opinion of Briatore’s tenure and henceforth Magilton’s appointment is quite damning, it cannot be said to be widespread. Many supporters are quite understanding if not in total agreement of Jim’s appointment, and will lend their support to the manager and the side.
The anti-climatic feeling could be attributed to over-zealous media reporting with names such as Zico raising expectations in some supporters, along with the bookmakers for featuring names such as Antonio Tapia and Roberto Mancini, two unlikely targets in Rangers quest for a new boss.
The question must be posed, of the realistic list of candidates for the post could we do better than Jim Magilton? In my opinion names such as Steve Cotterill and Aidy Boothroyd do not inspire me as much as Magilton whose Ipswich side, lest we forget, took QPR apart twice last season with a breathtaking display of passing football.
If Magilton can rekindle this brand of football in W12 then supporters will certainly have something to cheer, and the perceived disillusionment will soon dwindle.
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