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Ferdinand steps down as QPR director of football
The former England striker, who scored 80 goals in 163 appearances for the West London side, took over as head of football operations in 2014 before moving to his latest role in February 2015.
At the time the Hoops were in the Premier League, but the club were relegated at the end of the 2014-15 campaign and have remained in the Championship ever since.
Ferdinand, 56, insists that he has always had the best interest of the club at heart.
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ā QPR FC (@QPR) June 16, 2023
āThis has not been an easy decision. My life is football, I love football and I want to stay in football but I do feel this is the right time for me to step down from my position here,” said the 17-cap England international.
āEveryone knows how special Queens Park Rangers is to me and it has been a privilege to be back at the club.
āThere have been challenging times and I have had to make some very difficult decisions but every decision I have made has been with the best interests of the club at heart.
āI would like to thank the owners whose commitment to this club is incredible. They have such a strong desire to give QPR fans the club they deserve and I will be their biggest supporter as they look to achieve it.
āI also want to thank the fans. I know it has been difficult for them recently but their passion is what makes them so special. If you want to know what support means, look at our last home game. After a tough year, they gave us our biggest attendance of the season. That says everything about the QPR fans.
āThis is the club that gave me my chance in football. It will always mean so much to me and I wish the Rās every success in the future.ā
Since returning to the Championship, QPR have not finished higher than ninth.
They ended the 2022/23 campaign in 20th, their worst league finish since the 2005/06 season when they were 21st, just eight points and one place above the relegation zone.
The club started the season Superbly, sitting top of the table in October under manager Michael Beale.
However,Ā the Hoops’ fortunes turnedĀ after he left for Scottish giants Rangers, and they were forced to sack his successor Neil Critchley after just 12 games in charge.
He was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth in February and the club were able to avoid the drop by just six points.
Speaking on behalf of the board, chairman Amit Bhatia was keen to thank Ferdinand for his efforts.
He said: āI wish to thank Les for his guidance, leadership, determination and friendship over the years.
āThis club means so much to him and I have seen that first-hand.
āIn an industry where individuals with genuine authenticity and integrity appear to be scarce, Les’s sincerity and honesty have always set him apart, and have made him so special and so valued by the board.
āQPR is Lesās club and he will always be welcome back with open arms at Loftus Road.ā
