Francis: Zidane wrong for Rangers
by Tom Adams, 08 May 2008
QPR legend Gerry Francis feels Zinedine Zidane is not the right man to lead the Championship side following Luigi De Canio’s departure on Thursday.
The Italian has left Loftus Road by mutual consent and thoughts have immediately wandered to Zidane who was linked with the club in what appeared to be a preposterous report at the weekend.
The lure of managing a club that has been tagged the richest in the world thanks to the personal fortunes of owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal would certainly be strong, and Sam Allardyce and Iain Dowie have also been linked with the vacant post.
Francis, who played for Rangers for nine years and managed them for six years in two separate spells, does not think that French hero Zidane should be handed the job though, as he has no formal managerial experience.
"It doesn't matter how good a player you are or were, it makes little difference in terms of your managerial or coaching ability," said Francis, who led Rangers to their highest Premier League finish of fifth in 1992-1993.
"When you get on that pitch it's an entirely new profession and job.
"Some people can transfer from being a great player to a great manager, but many can't.
"I think it's good PR, but at the end of the day it's not PR that wins you matches - it's being able to manage."