QPR's Tony Fernandes changes policy on Harry Redknapp future

HARRY REDKNAPP will stay in charge of QPR even if they suffer relegation from the Premier League under a "different approach" to management, insists Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes.

Redknapp took over at Loftus Road in late 2012 when Mark Hughes was sacked following a string of poor performances.

The former Spurs boss was unable to keep QPR up, taking them down to the Championship, but responded with promotion on the first time of asking.

And, according to Fernandes, the knee-jerk reaction of other chairman to sack out-of-form managers is not a solution he favours after witnessing the fall-out from Hughes' departure.

“I think we’ve made our mind up to stick – we’ll just stick with Harry come what may," Fernandes told The Guardian. "We want stability, we want players to know he’s the manager. A different approach, I think.

“My whole life’s been stability. People who have worked with me have for a long time.

“I don’t believe football clubs can be any different.

QPR sit 12th in the Premier League after claiming their first win of the season at home to Sunderland last weekend.

And despite scoring just one goal from four games this campaign, Fernandes points to examples of managerial longevity as the reason behind his decision to stick with Redknapp, come what may.

“You only have to look at the most successful football clubs – Matt Busby, Bob Paisley, Alex Ferguson, they were all at their clubs for a long time. That’s a business principle that works," he said.

Article @ http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/507776/QPR-s-Tony-Fernandes-changes-policy-on-Harry-Redknapp-future

QPR target Defoe could leave Toronto

Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko has refused to rule out the possibility of QPR target Jermain Defoe making an imminent move back to the Premier League.

The former Tottenham striker has reportedly drawn interest from QPR and Bezbatchenko admitted that there have been talks between Toronto and an unidentified club.

"As far as I'm concerned, Jermain Defoe is with TFC," Bezbatchenko said on Sunday. "It's important for Jermain to be here, because he is a great player. But if things change then we'll adjust.

"We receive offers all the time, especially for a player like Jermain.

"We have received an offer and we have discussed it internally. I think that when you score as many goals as he has and you have the reputation and background that he has it's not uncommon to receive these offers.

"We've received, actually, multiple offers before over the course of this year. So I want to confirm that we're in talks, but we have a relationship with Jermain too. We're speaking with him and no decisions have been made.

"We'll discuss it over the next 24 hours."

Defoe has scored 11 goals in 16 MLS games with Toronto, but has also missed considerable time due to injury. In addition to a sports hernia that he is receiving treatment for in England, the 31-year-old sat out the entire month of April with a hamstring injury.

Defoe signed a four-year deal with Toronto in January after leaving White Hart Lane and has previously worked under QPR manager Harry Redknapp in his days at West Ham and Spurs.

By Rudi Schuller

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2014/09/01/5074529/-?