It was Neil Critchley who replaced Michael Beale at Aston Villa following the now-Rangers boss’ switch to QPR, and the Englishman could be set for a similar fate after following Beale to Loftus Road.
Michael Beale left QPR in controversial circumstances during the World Cup break in a turn of events from which the club does not appear to have recovered.
Steven Gerrard’s former Ibrox assistant made the switch back up north despite reiterating his loyalty to the Rs following an approach from Premier League Wolves earlier in the season.
Things had started so brightly for the former Liverpool and Chelsea youth coach too; Michael Beale had QPR top of the Championship in mid October and dreaming of a return to the Premier League.
However, soon he’d be back at Ibrox and suffering the howls of the QPR support who criticised what they perceived to be false loyalty from the Rangers manager.
Michael Beale’s QPR team were also without a win in six games before the manager jumped ship to Rangers and Neil Critchley has been unable to reverse a damning spiral.
In fact, the ex-Blackpool boss has won just once in eleven matches since joining QPR, with the club’s now without a win in ten games in all competitions after a 3-0 Championship defeat to high-flying Sunderland.
Neil Critchley believes he is the man for QPR job
The results have led to calls for Neil Critchley to leave QPR – who are now 17th in the Championship and in danger of being pulled into the relegation battle – with the manager defending himself after the game.
“I believe I am [the man for the job], yes,” said QPR boss Neil Critchley.
“I believe in my own ability to get the best out of this group of players.
“I didn’t see a team that wasn’t together or fighting tonight. I saw the players having a go.
“But it’s mistakes that are killing us. Sloppy goals are killing us. I didn’t see a team that had given up or lacked heart or desire.”
You know when manager’s start pulling out the heart and desire patter that the writing is on the wall.
Contrast the fortunes of Neil Critchley at QPR with that of Michael Beale at Rangers, who in the same period as won 12 matches and drawn one of his 13 games as Ibrox boss.
Meanwhile, Rangers were handed an understated Ianis Hagi boost at the weekend.
