Beard: We had to act to try and survive

24 November 2012 15:47

QPR chief executive Philip Beard insists the Londoners can save their Premier League skins - but admits there are no guarantees even with Harry Redknapp's magic.

Redknapp was confirmed as Mark Hughes' successor at Loftus Road on Saturday morning. The former Portsmouth and Tottenham boss has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Premier League's basement boys, who are currently five points adrift of safety.

"The situation is only not salvagable when it is impossible," said Beard. "We have played 12 games without a win and we felt it was the right time to act in the best interests of the club."

He added: "We are four points behind the pack and five points behind the relegation zone.

"Like every club in that part of the league, we will work really hard to get out of it because the prize of staying in the Premier League is really high.

"But ultimately, three clubs won't survive. We will be giving everything to make sure we are not one of those three."

Redknapp will be present at Old Trafford for the encounter with Manchester United, before taking charge of training for the first time on Sunday.

The QPR hierarchy has come under fire for the timing of the decision to sack Hughes, barely 24 hours before such a significant game.

Beard defended the move, claiming the situation was created by the club's board, including owner Tony Fernandes, being dotted around the world.

"The owners have treated this situation very seriously," said Beard. "They have been in different parts of the world and there have been a whole series of meetings. We have spent a lot of time on it and this is not something we have done lightly."

Source: PA