For Holloway the Burnley way
When Burnley went up to the Premier League in 2014 they were joined by Queens Park Rangers who won the play-offs. A year later they were with us again when we both went straight back down but it was a different story last season as they finished in mid-table some 33 points behind us as we returned to the Premier League as Football League Champions.
When Sean Dyche became Burnley boss, QPR were managed by Mark Hughes. Since then, apart from a number of caretakers, they’ve also had Harry Redknapp, Chris Ramsey, Neil Warnock, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and now Ian Holloway.
There really are very few similarities between the two clubs but now new boss Holloway wants to change that. He was the manager who brought them back to the Championship from League One in 2004 and now claims he can get them back into the Premier League but not the same way as the club have done previously.
Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Holloway, who has taken both Blackpool and Crystal Palace into the top league, said: “I have done it before and I want to do it again here.
“We had a little spell of trying to buy success and you end up with people who do not care. Have they spent enough here to be successful? Blimey, I would say so, but it is not all about that. You need to create an environment for players to flourish. What do we need? Young, hungry people with a sprinkling of experience. Nothing would make me prouder than putting this club back in the Premier League.”
But he warned: “Th Championship is a tougher competition now. How many teams have been taken over and how many have got money? Everyone wants to get promoted. Clubs like Blackpool getting promoted has made everyone feel we ought to be able to do it, but it is not about how much you are earning, it is about how much you care.”
Holloway, who penned the ‘strong jaw’ description of Burnley under Dyche’s management, then made the link. “Look at Burnley,” he said. “They are a fantastic example of a club who has got the right balance. I do not believe it is anything more than a work ethic at your club.”
Holloway’s return to management starts today QPR in 17th place in the table. He has previously managed Bristol Rovers, prior to his first spell at Loftus Road, Plymouth, Leicester, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and most recently Millwall who he left in March 2015 after a 4-1 home defeat against Norwich, the team QPR face today, and has more recently been part of the Sky team covering the Football League.
He was QPR manager from 2001 to 2006 but it ended in acrimonious circumstances when he was placed on gardening leave for a period of time after applying for another job at Leicester. He was also, during his time at Loftus Road, very close to landing the Burnley job in 2004.
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