I will do everything I can to help the new manager

Gerry Francis

Francis: "QPR can stay up"

"But the club is now experiencing major problems with a number of players contracts coming to a close in the summer and very little cash to bring anyone in.

"It is time for someone else to take over. They need time to turn things round and I need time to spend with my family and of course with the pigeons."

Few would believe this was the same man who twice turned down the opportunity to manage his country.

Both times he was interviewed for the England he ruled himself out of consideration.

But England could have done a lot worse - and, once or twice in recent years, have done.

Now Francis can devote his time to his family and enjoy the peace and quiet of his pigeon loft.

The reason for his departure is simple. He is a family man and his recent spell with QPR was more of an effort to help out an old friend than improve his already dazzling reputation in management.

But it was clear from the pained expression on Francis' face that he has had enough football for one lifetime.

As he spoke of the troubled times the club are experiencing, he was speaking from his heart as a fan and not a manager.

Francis was arguably a victim of his own managerial success.

Needed more than a miracle

The former England midfielder always possessed an unwavering confidence in his own ability.

However, he built up such an impressive CV at Bristol Rovers and QPR that he could no longer continue to perform the miracles.

But QPR needed more than a miracle to save them this time.

Their troubles far exceed their lowly position at the foot of Division One.

Behind the scenes the club are in disarray.

Their over-achievements in the 1990s, when they finished fifth in the Premiership and enjoyed as spell as London's top club, make their current position even harder to tolerate.

Young bargains

But Francis insists the club can still survive.

Since he returned in October 1998, he has made a number of strong signings for QPR, scouring the non-league for Jermaine Darlington and Stuart Wardley.

He has also picked up young bargains like Clarke Carlisle and Peter Crouch and groomed Richard Langley and Mark Perry into tremendous players.

These are the players that Francis believes should keep QPR in the First Division and more importantly, keep the club in business.