Is Neil Warnock safe at QPR?

The season hasn't even started yet and already rumours are rife that QPR are planning to replace Neil Warnock with a big-name manager as they prepare for their assault on the Premier League. Speculation surrounding Warnock's future at Loftus Road exploded into life last week after Peterborough United's director of football, Barry Fry, revealed that Posh player Craig Mackail-Smith rejected a move to QPR because he wasn't offered any assurance over Warnock's future at the club. The player has since moved to Championship side Brighton. As a result Warnock has had his odds cut to just 6/4 with Sky Bet in the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked Betting.

Despite the club acting quickly by releasing a statement denying these rumours, the uncertainty means that a poor start to the 2011/12 season may signal the end of Warnock's time at Loftus Road. The former Sheffield United manager gained widespread plaudits for guiding Rangers to promotion to the Premier League after a dominant 2010/11 season, in which the club won the Championship title. The 62-year-old achieved this in just his first full season in charge, and in the process ended QPR's 15-year absence from the top flight.

If the rumours of his departure have any substance then Warnock's achievements should be both celebrated and rewarded not shunned and taken for granted. The board should be reminded that they have sprinted though a remarkable 13 managers since 2006 and they should also count themselves lucky that Warnock took over in the first place, as they were going through a period of financial difficulty at the time. If the board are interested in establishing the club as a Premier League outfit then they must utilise what they have at their disposal. It is therefore crucial that they provide Warnock with stability as opposed to uncertainty. Warnock's passion and determination are unquestionable as is his man-management and motivational skills, characteristics that are going to be essential if QPR are going to survive next season.

QPR 2011/12 Specials

1/2 - To Stay up in Premier League
6/4 - To be Relegated from Premier League
50/1 - QPR finish in Top 4 in Premier League

All odds supplied by Sky Bet