Saturday 14 February 2015 10:33, UK
QPR caretaker manager Chris Ramsey has admitted that he would love the opportunity to take the role on a permanent basis.
However, Ramsey also confirmed that he had discussed the vacant position with Tim Sherwood, who he worked with at Tottenham and who is hot favourite with the bookies to take charge at Loftus Road.
And Ramsey added that he is mainly preoccupied with QPR’s precarious position in the Premier League table.
The west London side remain second-bottom in the standings following Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Southampton and Ramsey will be in charge once again for Tuesday’s vital away match at Sunderland.
Asked if he would like to be Harry Redknapp’s permanent replacement, Ramsey said: “Obviously, from my personal point of view, as a coach, and someone who has gone the long route round, if you got offered a chance to coach a Premier League team, you would have to jump at the chance, wouldn’t you?
“I’d jump at the chance if I was offered the job but more important for me is that QPR are above that (relegation) line on the final day of the season, regardless of whether I am here or whether it is anybody else.”
I’d jump at the chance if I was offered the job but more important for me is that QPR are above that (relegation) line on the final day of the season, regardless of whether I am here or whether it is anybody else.
When it was suggested that he had talked about the post with Sherwood, he added: “I’d be a liar to say that I haven’t.
“You speak to lots of people you know in the game and I have spoken to quite a few of my friends about the job. I do have other friends you know!
"Tim's a football man and he watches it all the time. We talk about games and players, and he's made it clear to me he is eager to get back into work. You can only play so much golf and watch so much daytime TV.
"He did a fantastic job at Tottenham and I think they're reaping the benefits of some of the stuff that was put in place four or five years ago to help the academy.
"I think it was probably underrated, the job that he did."
There are just 14 games left in the season for QPR but Ramsey does not think there is a need for great haste in naming the new manager.
“It depends how much magic you think one person can do in a short space of time,” he said.
“It is really down to the quality of the players and the quality of their efforts for the fans and the owners that will make the difference.
“Somebody coming in now will help galvanise things if it was the right person. but we have to really rely on the abilities of the players to come through.
“I know that Les (Ferdinand, Director of Football), Tony (Fernandes, chairman) and the owners will go through a process of elimination with candidates and I am sure the fans would want to see a transparent procedure that allows us to bring the best person in.”
Rio will have a big role to play. Rio and Bobby (Zamora), some of the older pros, will be key with their experience.
Regarding Tuesday’s game, Ramsey confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is likely to feature, defenders Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuoha having both picked up injuries on Saturday.
Ramsey said: “Rio will have a big role to play. Rio and Bobby (Zamora), some of the older pros, will be key with their experience.
“Even though I did not pick Rio at the weekend, he was always in my plans for this game, even before the injuries.”
Adel Taarabt was given a rare start on Saturday while on-loan West Ham man Mauro Zarate received a chance off the bench, and Ramsey liked what he saw from the duo.
“I was pleased with the reaction of those players who have not played as much recently,” said the caretaker boss. “They put a shift in for us.
“I thought Mauro looked very sharp and he has staked a claim for a start.
“I was pleased with Adel too. He is not in 100 per cent condition but he is getting there.
“There was a lot to be positive about on Saturday. There was a lot for us to hold on to and take to Sunderland.”
