Queens Park Rangers fire manager Hughes

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Welsh coach Mark Hughes becomes the second manager casualty at the English Premier League after Chelsea parted ways with Roberto Di Matteo. REUTERS photo

Mark Hughes’ 10-month spell at Queens Park Rangers came to end on Nov. 23 when he was fired by the Premier League’s last-place team, possibly paving the way for Harry Redknapp to return to football as a replacement.

Hughes became the second Premier League manager to be sacked this week - after Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea on Wednesday - with the team without a victory this campaign and on just four points from 12 games.

“Mark has shown integrity and professionalism throughout his time here, but ultimately the circumstances we find ourselves in have left the board of directors with very little choice but to make a change,” QPR said in a statement.

Redknapp is the massive favorite with some British bookmakers to replace Hughes, having done little to dampen fevered speculation at the weekend.

Hughes’ future at Loftus Road was left in the balance after last week’s abject 3-1 loss to Southampton, a result that led to fans turning on the former Manchester United and Barcelona striker.

“Maybe it’s a watershed moment because we can’t get any lower,” Hughes said.