Dowie takes on task of guiding QPR to promotion

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 23:24

IAIN Dowie has been appointed the new first-team coach of Coca-Cola Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

The 43-year-old, who spent three years with QPR as a player and also had stints as caretaker manager and assistant manager, has signed a two-year contract at Loftus Road.

“This is a very exciting long-term project,” said Dowie. “I’m very privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship.

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the new investors and their fresh, aggressive and innovative approach to all sporting matters, as well as the marketing and commercial aspect of this football club. QPR is a fantastic club, with a successful history and I’m going to relish the challenge that lies ahead.”

Dowie replaces Italian coach Luigi De Canio, who parted company with the club last week after guiding them off the foot of the Championship to a 14th-placed finish in his eight months in charge.

A former Northern Ireland striker, Dowie led Crystal Palace from the relegation zone to the Barclays Premier League in 2004 via a play-off final victory over West Ham.

He has also managed Oldham but had less successful stints in charge of Charlton – where he lasted just 12 Premier League games – and most recently Coventry, who released him from his contract in February.

Dowie is expected to be given significant funds to mount a promotion push by owners Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and Lakshmi Mittal who splashed around 5 million in the January transfer market and have already signed Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Radek Cerny and Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage this summer.

Rangers sporting director Gianni Paladini said: “Iain Dowie has a proven track record in the Championship and we are delighted to have him on board.”

QPR defender Fitz Hall believes Dowie will be able to handle the pressure of guiding the mega-rich west Londoners to the Premier League next season.

Hall – who is preparing to work under Dowie for the third time in his career, having previously played for him at both Oldham and Palace – said: “He’s a players’ manager and I am sure all the lads here will get on with him – I just hope he still likes me. When he was at Palace he was considered the next big thing in terms of management.

“He did incredibly well there to get them promoted through the play-offs, and I am sure he will be a success here.

“There will be a lot of changes – training will be completely different and far more intense. It’s going to be hard work, but I’m sure it is going to be a good environment to work in.

“In my opinion he is the man to get us into the Premier League, and that is what we are all working towards.”

Former England captain Gerry Francis admits Dowie will be expected to mount an immediate challenge for promotion if he is to fit in with Briatore’s ambitious plans for the club.

“He will be expected to be up there challenging for promotion with the backing he has got so it will be a big year for him, but he has the experience and the backing behind him to put his plans in place,” explained Francis.