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According to Sky Sports, Lee Bowyer, who is a reported candidate for the vacant QPR role, is keen on stepping into Steve McClaren’s shoes amid ongoing doubts over his future at Charlton, despite the incredible job he has done for the Addicks this season.
The former midfielder might be relatively new to the managerial scene, but he is already making a huge impression in League One and looks like the perfect fit for QPR at the current time.
On the chalkboard
McClaren, who has ironically been nicknamed ‘McClown’, was fittingly given the boot on April Fools Day, with John Eustace stepping in on an interim basis.
Bowyer has been identified as one of the names on the shortlist having guided Charlton into the play-off places this campaign despite a lack of funding and confidence from the club’s controversial owner, Roland Duchatelet, who is inexplicably yet to offer him a new deal.
What would undoubtedly be Charlton’s loss, though, would certainly be QPR’s gain – Bowyer has all the attributes to succeed at Loftus Road, and here’s why.
A perfect fit
Aside from the fact they have both fallen from grace in recent years, something else QPR and Charlton share in common is a dodgy owner who insists on making things as difficult as possible for those who take the gauntlet, with Bowyer and former R’s boss McClaren suffering as a consequence.
The former has been forced to work with stringent funds since being appointed permanent boss in September 2018 and has done a remarkable job. Even the January loss of Karlan Grant hasn’t halted the Addicks’ progress – they are unbeaten in their last eight league games.
QPR and Tony Fernandes are also no strangers to selling their star players – Bowyer would certainly be able to make the best out of a difficult situation and achieve results regardless of a lack of financial backing, that is if his Charlton exploits are anything to go by.
With hefty financial problems to contend with, Fernandes would surely love to have a man as adaptable as Bowyer at Loftus Road.
The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…
The 42-year-old is also willing to use the youngsters where possible – he has brought through the likes of George Lapslie at the Valley – and would be a great man to have in charge from Eberechi Eze’s perspective.
The England Under-21 international fell out of favour under McClaren in his last few weeks as Hoops boss but will undoubtedly be a key player going forward; Bowyer would likely put his trust in the number 10, who is one of QPR’s most influential players on his day, to prove that he’s worth his salt.
Another positive for QPR if they appoint Bowyer is that he would likely bring the diamond midfield approach – a thoroughly successful one at Charlton – to Loftus Road, which would mean that he can accommodate the aforementioned Eze and Freeman down the middle, where they are both at their most effective.