The BBC documentary that aired last Sunday (4th March) followed the turbulent off field relations and on field results of West London football club Queens Park Rangers (QPR). Having saved them from liquidation, Formula1 moguls Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone fashioned a take-over, with a vision to implement a four year plan that would culminate in QPR's promotion to the Premier League.
The issue of money that has surrounded football in the past decade is especially key at this time after both Rangers and Portsmouth went into administration and Midlands clubs Birmingham City and Coventry City had transfer embargoes enforced upon them. Unlike fellow billionaire owners such as Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour, the QPR owners looked to stabilise their new purchase whilst delivering success. Obviously, they were a championship club and could therefore not attract the top names in football; however, they could have spent far more money than they actually did.
With money comes great expectation, especially, the documentary revealed, from Briatore. His ruthlessness from the stands was an aspect that made upsetting viewing as his passion for success was articulated in fiercely scathing attacks on his employees: the playing and coaching staff. Such views led to first manager Iain Dowie being sacked after only 15 games in charge, to be replaced by Paulo Sausa. Briatore in this time was heavily involved attending training sessions, invading the changing rooms and watching reserve matches issuing instructions to his manager.
Come the transfer window, Sausa and Briatore clashed over the loaning of Dexter Blackstock to Nottingham Forest. Sausa claimed that he went on holiday and had no knowledge of this business. Briatore released Sausa from his duties as manager for a breach in his contract. Sausa was replaced by the equally ineffectual Jim Magilton and subsequenlty Paul Hart who lasted a pitiful month in the job before resigning.
Briatore on many occassions decided that the club needed a 'strong manager' who was given the direction to work with the current squad and win games, then they would not be pestered. That man was Neil Warnock, noted for his no nonsense managerial style. At the beginning of the 2009/2010 season Briatore stepped down as QPR chairman, deciding to stay away from club affairs other than finances. With this freedom Warnock was able to create an atmosphere in which he was comfortable working within as were his players. As a result QPR went on to make an unbeaten start to this league campaign, their best for 63 years.
It seems that with the encroachment of an owner on proceedings, it is difficult for a manager to do his job effectively. Whilst QPR is a good example an even better one can be seen only a few miles away at Chelsea. The instant success demanded by Russian owner Roman Abramovich only serves to create a cauldron of pressure on the manager and his players. Pressure that young manager Andres Villa Boas appeared to struggle under leading to his premature dismissal only last weekend.
Abramovich's demands have not only been on the way in which Chelsea play and the results that that heeds, but also on the players brought into the club. Most strikingly was the purchase of Ukrainian striker Andrey Shevchenko who was easily passed his best form, yet manager Jose Mourinho was forced to use him. Likewise, Carlo Ancelloti was handed an overpriced and out of form Fernando Torres. After previously delivering the double and guiding this Chelsea side to second in the Premier League, the Italian was still given his marching orders in favour of AVB.
Whilst Briatore and Ecclestone have sold their shares to Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes, their management is a clear example of how detachment is often the best policy. When observing their West London neighbours it is clear that there is an example of how not to run a football club.
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