QPR sack manager

QPR will this morning begin the search for their fifth permanent manager in the past 18 months after insisting they had no option but to sack Paulo Sousa.

The former Portugal midfielder was fired last night after just five months and 26 matches in charge following the row over Dexter Blackstock`s loan move to Nottingham Forest.

Blackstock, Rangers` top scorer this season with 12 goals, left for the City Ground before last month`s loan deadline and Sousa admitted after Saturday`s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace - which proved to be his final game in charge - that the move had happened without his knowledge, with sporting director Gianni Paladini informing him that the transfer was done.

Speaking after that game, he said: "I gave the players two days off after the Bristol City game and when I came back Mr Paladini told me he had an agreement (for Blackstock) to go on loan.

"It is a decision for the board and only they can answer it. I'm not frustrated, I said from the first day I have to adapt and try to do my best with the players I have."

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Sousa when coach Bruno Oliveira had his contract terminated on Monday.

A statement from the Coca-Cola Championship side read: "Queens Park Rangers Football Club has today had to terminate Paulo Sousa`s employment with the club with immediate effect.

"It came to the club`s attention that Mr Sousa had, without authority, divulged highly confidential and sensitive information.

"The club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position."

Blackstock, who has become an unwitting pawn in the saga, admitted earlier this week that he was surprised to have been allowed to leave Loftus Road.

"It came a little out the blue. I was surprised to be allowed to come, particularly as there were a few injured players at QPR. Me leaving has left them with only one fit striker," Blackstock told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"You can make what you want of the situation - I am far and away the top scorer at the club.

"But the people at the club have allowed me to go out on loan. I am at Forest to do a job and I don't have a bad word to say about the manager."

Gareth Ainsworth, a member of Sousa`s coaching staff, has been placed in charge until the end of the season, a role he has already filled this term following the sacking of Iain Dowie in October.

Sousa`s departure makes him the fourth manager to leave Loftus Road since chairman Flavio Briatore took over the club, with John Gregory, Luigi De Canio and Dowie already biting the bullet, along with Mick Harford, who enjoyed a successful spell as caretaker boss in between Gregory and De Canio`s ill-fated spells at the helm.

Ainsworth starts his second stint in charge at Burnley on Saturday. But with the play-offs looking out of reach for the Hoops this season, the main focus will be on the identity of the next permanent manager, with Dennis Wise, Paul Ince and Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson already linked with role.