Categories: QPR

Paladini’s six-year reign is over

Gianni Paladini is no longer QPR chairman and the club’s new-look board are to discuss his future in the coming days.

Paladini was Rangers’ longest-serving chairman since Jim Gregory, having held the position since 2005.

Tony Fernandes was on Wednesday confirmed as company chairman and majority shareholder at Loftus Road, with Amit Bhatia returning to the post of company vice-chairman.

Paladini’s position as club chairman has not been affected by a number of changes to the company board in recent years, but this time around he has not survived the cull.

Fernandes is this week taking soundings from Bhatia with a view to announcing a restructure of the club in the near future.

But the decision has already been taken to strip Paladini of the title he has held since prevailing in a boardroom coup six years ago.

Paladini, who is still under contract, has always been seen by the Mittal family as someone with a contribution to make because of his experience in the game.

But disagreements between the controversial Italian and Bhatia’s trusted friend Ishan Saksena caused acrimony prior to Saksena being removed as company chairman and managing director in May.

He will also no longer be used as a bridge between the manager and board, which became his primary job under the Flavio Briatore-led regime.

Paladini’s  function as a meeter and greeter, which he has retained by virtue of being the only QPR director who attends every match, also hangs by a thread, with a number of alternatives for the role already being considered.

The Fernandes-led restructure will include the appointment of Philip Beard as chief executive.

Beard, a senior member of the successful London 2012 Olympic bid team and former CEO of The O2, will formally start work once Premier League approval is received.

This post was last modified on 18/08/2011

David McIntyre

View Comments

  • Are we now going to see some decisions plus financial input by Directors instead of just paying wages.
    New Training ground has impressed good players to join QPR, now we need a new Stadium, not in Hammersmith unless we get the Lindford Christy site.
    Come on Hammersmith sell or Lease us the site, then use the Lofthouse Road site for whatever you wish to do provide Hammersmith with?????????

    Barry Parkinson

  • There's no need to be rude about Gianni he was around through some dark times when even some of our 'loyal' supporters didn't turn up. I'm sure he'd be the first to admit he doesn't have the necessary experience to move the club forward. Great to have such a qualified and professional CEO to lead us. Good times.

  • Surely first job is to get rid of GP? He's as bent as a five bob note and i'm not saying he's a queer boy.

  • Should have been shown the door after the Faurlin transfer fiasco. Long overdue IMO

  • About time. Get him out, recover the loan payments, and get him to take his hangers-on with him.

  • After the farce of the FA trial, even his staunchest supporters must realise it is time to get rid. Always been a controversial character, and whilst clearly charming, he simply isn't fit to run the club. An embarrassment and a liability.

Share
Published by
David McIntyre