London – Harry Redknapp has been named manager of Queens Park Rangers following Friday's sacking of Mark Hughes, the Premier League's bottom club announced on Saturday.
Redknapp, who was fired by fellow London club Tottenham Hotspur in June, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club, who have not won a league game this season.
Hughes's assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki were put in temporary charge of the team for Saturday's daunting trip to face Manchester United in the league and Redknapp would watch from the stands, the club said.
“I'm delighted to be back in the managerial hot-seat at QPR,” Redknapp, 65, told the club website (www.qpr.co.uk).
“When I spoke to the shareholders and they told me about their plans I knew this was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“There's no doubt there's a lot of ability in the squad but for one reason or another things haven't gone as well as everyone expected since the start of the season.
“I can't wait to get to work and get the results necessary to kick-start our season.”
Regarded as one of the best managers in the English game, Redknapp had been close to accepting the job of Ukraine coach this week, but said on Friday that he would be the happiest man if he could save Rangers from relegation.
QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said Redknapp had been the club's top target for the job.
“His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table,” he told the club website.
The club said Redknapp's back-room team would be announced later.– Reuters