QPR sack Mark Hughes

QPR have terminated the contract of manager Mark Hughes following a disastrous start to the season.



The 49-year-old Welshman guided the club to Premier League safety after taking over from Neil Warnock in January but has fallen foul of his employers having spent heavily over the summer and failing to secure a win this term.



His dismissal leaves Harry Redknapp, who revealed he was in talks over taking charge of the Ukraine earlier this week, a clear favourite to take the Loftus Road hot seat.



A QPR statement read: "The Board of Directors wish to thank Mark for his commitment, hard work and dedication in his ten months in charge.



"Mark has shown integrity and professionalism throughout his time here, but ultimately the circumstances we find ourselves in have left the Board of Directors with very little choice but to make a change.



"The Board will now be working actively to put a new managerial structure in place as soon as possible.



"Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki will take charge of the R's trip to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The club will be making a further announcement in due course."



Hughes' final game in charge was a demoralising 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Southampton, who cut their hosts four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

Hughes denies Berbatov link

Manager Mark Hughes has denied that QPR have submitted an official offer for Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov.



The Red Devils are believed to be ready to show the Bulgaria international the door, with a price of about five million pounds being touted.



And the Loftus Road outfit have been busy in the transfer market this summer - having already recruited the likes of Junior Hoillet, Rob Green and Andy Johnson.



However, Hughes was dismissive of the latest link, and refused to speculate on the possibility of the striker arriving in London.



Speaking after the 3-0 pre-season win over League One side Wycombe Wanderers, Hughes told Sky Sports News: "There are a lot of names flying around. That is a new one on me, in fairness.



"At this time of year, there are a lot of names flying around. But we prefer to get the job done, get the business done, and then we announce it."



Berbatov, who has already been linked with the likes of Turkish giants Galatasaray, has struggled to break into Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up following the emergence of England international Danny Welbeck and the form of Mexican youngster Javier Hernandez.



A move to East London for Berbatov would see him link up with former team-mate Park Ji-Sung who sealed his switch from United last month.

Hughes ends talk of Bellamy bid

Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes has played down reports that he is planning to sign Craig Bellamy from Liverpool this summer.



It has been suggested that Rangers are lining up a move to lure Bellamy away from Anfield this summer.



Bellamy's future at Liverpool has been the subject of speculation all summer, with Cardiff declaring an interest in re-signing the forward.



Hughes, who worked with Bellamy with Wales and Manchester City, is a big admirer of the 33-year-old, but has cooled talk of an imminent move for the player.



"There has been a lot of speculation over Craig. Yes I know him very well. But at the moment it is all speculation," said Hughes.



Hughes has vowed Rangers will do better than last season after escaping relegation on the final day of the season.



"Now I have more time to prepare the side and get the quality players that were lacking before," added Hughes.



"I can say that QPR has a great future and obviously we will do better that last season. We are confident that we won't be struggling."