He has been in the job less than a week and is yet to manage a game but new QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has already impressed many.
The Dutchman, who arrived from Staffordshire outfit Burton Albion, has been one of the most successful managers in recent Football League history. His time at Burton included their first ever promotion to League One and they now find themselves sitting two points clear at the top after 20 games. This shows the influence Hasselbaink has had at the club and fans will be disappointed to see him leave.
The questions now are these: will his success continue in London? How will it be fostered?
As a player, Hasselbaink was tough, persistent and powerful. These characteristics, along with an unrelenting desire to win, saw him on the right side of many of his outings. As a coach, his playing career shines through and, although he would not admit it, his footballing philosophy is becoming increasingly palpable.
Hasselbaink seemingly looks for the edge in every match, both physically and mentally and will take each loss personally. To this effect, Hasselbaink seeks to unstitch the very best out of his team and himself, and by doing so, make each player personally seek out victory. This was clear at Albion as the Brewers nicked victory by a single goal 12 times already this season. Implementing this mentality into each and every single Rangers player would go a long way in a league where triumph and tragedy can separated by a single moment.
Hasselbaink’s management should also be defined by honesty and openness. He recently told the Telegraph about his time under Frank Rijkaard in the Dutch national team and expressed his disappointment in the lack of transparency surrounding decisions, especially regarding squad selection. Such experiences will create a healthier atmosphere at QPR, where, in the recent past, players have expressed serious attitude issues with regard to their role.
On top of this, Hasselbaink is also said to have admired the family ethos of Burton Albion and will no doubt do the same at Loftus Road. Part in parcel of this belief is a great appreciation of the fans, plus a willingness to invest in youth products of the club through training and nurturing. The fact that David Oldfield, a man known for his academy work, has followed JFH to Rangers, really signals this intent. Hasselbaink outlined the involvement of every member of the club during his first press conference on Monday and reminded them that he is now the head of the ‘QPR family’.
Even if one was to ignore all of these aspects, just one fact could still impress most people: a win rate of over 60% with Burton Albion. This is an incredible feat, especially considering the history of the club. With Rangers only tasting victory in 36% of their games so far this season, Hasselbaink’s record seems very enticing.
Yet we have seen this before with likes of Harry Redknapp and Mark Hughes. Managers who have experienced success for many years at various grounds but failed to make an impact at QPR. The facts and opinions suggest Hasselbaink will not go the way of his predecessors, however, only time will reveal what many will imagine.
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