Filed under: QPR, Championship, Premier League, Football
Queens Park Rangers are assured of their return to the Premier League after a 15-year wait. However, it has certainly not been an easy route back to the big time for the west London club.Nine managers in three years, a number of changes behind the scenes and an FA hearing into third party ownership have turned life at Loftus Road into a soap opera.
Now under the management of Neil Warnock and the confusing ownership of a group of wealthy businessmen that includes Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, the club is moving forward.
However, their biggest test now comes as they prepare for a season in the Premier League. Warnock has already drawn up his list of targets and it is likely he will be backed in the transfer window, but perhaps his biggest task will be turning on the charm offensive, for QPR could be in danger of becoming deeply unpopular among the Premier League fraternity - even before a ball is kicked.
Normally, when clubs are promoted, they are largely welcomed into the league. Established Premier League clubs enjoy flexing their muscles against the plucky underdogs.
But, given the potential wealth of QPR, with Mittal being named as the country's richest man, it is difficult to portray them as the underdogs.
Yes, their Loftus Road stadium is quaint and their loyal supporters make for a great atmosphere, but when you are backed by a billionaire it all becomes a bit different.
With wealth also comes jealousy. Should there be a number of high-profile arrivals at QPR in the summer, such lavish spending will be frowned upon in the same way Manchester City have been deemed to have overspent to stockpile players.
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