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From the Standard
Amid the furore surrounding Flavio Briatore's role in F1's Crashgate' scandal, the Italian faced the prospect of proving he fulfilled the Football League's fit and proper' owners' test but after the latest Loftus Road catastrophe, those questions will resonate louder than ever before.
Paul Hart today became the sixth permanent manager to leave Queens Park Rangers in the 26 months since Briatore took control and saved the club from financial turmoil in November 2007.
Briatore, with co-owners Bernie Ecclestone and Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal has revolutionised the club's commercial operations, yet time and again has revealed a fatal flaw that ultimately undermines their chances of reaching the Premier League.
The story of Hart's departure is a depressingly familiar one for their supporters. Hart was appointed on a short-term contract with the immediate task of restoring harmony in the dressing room following the tempestuous and often confrontational spell under Jim Magilton.
But Standard Sport understands that as early as two matches into his reign, rumblings of discontent surfaced among senior board members that Hart would not play ball.
It is thought that Briatore continued to seek an active role in team selection but Hart wanted to stamp his authority in on-pitch matters.
A power struggle quickly developed and manifested itself in Hart's decision to release two Italians signed largely on Briatore's advice — Matteo Alberti and Alessandro Pellicori — having decided they were not up to Championship standard.
Following Hart's departure, both were at the club's Harlington training ground this morning.
Hart's spat with Adel Taarabt over his lack of first-team football was little more than a sideshow to the dramatic deterioration in relations at boardroom level as Briatore is thought to have already decided earlier this month that Hart would not be offered any extension to his six-month contract.
Managers operate under strict constraints in Shepherd's Bush and the relationship with Briatore had soured to the extent that it is understood Hart's solicitor phoned club officials yesterday to confirm his client was leaving and that “if there is a problem, we will see you in court”.
It is believed that Hart had become infuriated with Briatore's interference both in the dressing room and in the club's transfer policy and believed his position had become untenable despite being in charge for just 28 days and five matches.
The club are thought to be surprised by Hart's decision and have no replacement lined up, leaving assistant Mick Harford to take the reins for tomorrow's trip to Blackpool.
Harford was in temporary charge when Briatore first arrived at the club and out of the wreckage of the latest managerial debacle comes a chance to earn a permanent appointment.
After all, the team lie 10th but only four points outside the play-offs.
“I am going to try and get the team back to winning ways and get us climbing the table,” said Harford. “I got a phone call late last night asking me to take charge. This is something I have to prepare very quickly for. I thought Paul did a great job in terms of organising the players.”
Such is the reputation Briatore has built in footballing circles, it is difficult to see anyone other than a yes man' or a foreign manager used to outside interference taking on the job.
It is unclear at this stage whether Hart will sue over a potential breach of contract but Briatore is walking a fine line — Kevin Keegan walked away with £2million after winning a case of constructive dismissal against Newcastle.
Briatore has brought wealth to Loftus Road beyond QPR supporters' wildest dreams and created impressive revenue streams yet appears unable to trust a manager with the commodity that matters most: the players.
Changing managers with such frequency will never create the stability needed for promotion and then achieve consolidation once in the Premier League. No fit and proper person would argue differently.
Amid the furore surrounding Flavio Briatore's role in F1's Crashgate' scandal, the Italian faced the prospect of proving he fulfilled the Football League's fit and proper' owners' test but after the latest Loftus Road catastrophe, those questions will resonate louder than ever before.
Paul Hart today became the sixth permanent manager to leave Queens Park Rangers in the 26 months since Briatore took control and saved the club from financial turmoil in November 2007.
Briatore, with co-owners Bernie Ecclestone and Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal has revolutionised the club's commercial operations, yet time and again has revealed a fatal flaw that ultimately undermines their chances of reaching the Premier League.
The story of Hart's departure is a depressingly familiar one for their supporters. Hart was appointed on a short-term contract with the immediate task of restoring harmony in the dressing room following the tempestuous and often confrontational spell under Jim Magilton.
But Standard Sport understands that as early as two matches into his reign, rumblings of discontent surfaced among senior board members that Hart would not play ball.
It is thought that Briatore continued to seek an active role in team selection but Hart wanted to stamp his authority in on-pitch matters.
A power struggle quickly developed and manifested itself in Hart's decision to release two Italians signed largely on Briatore's advice — Matteo Alberti and Alessandro Pellicori — having decided they were not up to Championship standard.
Following Hart's departure, both were at the club's Harlington training ground this morning.
Hart's spat with Adel Taarabt over his lack of first-team football was little more than a sideshow to the dramatic deterioration in relations at boardroom level as Briatore is thought to have already decided earlier this month that Hart would not be offered any extension to his six-month contract.
Managers operate under strict constraints in Shepherd's Bush and the relationship with Briatore had soured to the extent that it is understood Hart's solicitor phoned club officials yesterday to confirm his client was leaving and that “if there is a problem, we will see you in court”.
It is believed that Hart had become infuriated with Briatore's interference both in the dressing room and in the club's transfer policy and believed his position had become untenable despite being in charge for just 28 days and five matches.
The club are thought to be surprised by Hart's decision and have no replacement lined up, leaving assistant Mick Harford to take the reins for tomorrow's trip to Blackpool.
Harford was in temporary charge when Briatore first arrived at the club and out of the wreckage of the latest managerial debacle comes a chance to earn a permanent appointment.
After all, the team lie 10th but only four points outside the play-offs.
“I am going to try and get the team back to winning ways and get us climbing the table,” said Harford. “I got a phone call late last night asking me to take charge. This is something I have to prepare very quickly for. I thought Paul did a great job in terms of organising the players.”
Such is the reputation Briatore has built in footballing circles, it is difficult to see anyone other than a yes man' or a foreign manager used to outside interference taking on the job.
It is unclear at this stage whether Hart will sue over a potential breach of contract but Briatore is walking a fine line — Kevin Keegan walked away with £2million after winning a case of constructive dismissal against Newcastle.
Briatore has brought wealth to Loftus Road beyond QPR supporters' wildest dreams and created impressive revenue streams yet appears unable to trust a manager with the commodity that matters most: the players.
Changing managers with such frequency will never create the stability needed for promotion and then achieve consolidation once in the Premier League. No fit and proper person would argue differently.
NPower Champions 2010/2011
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