LONDON, England (AFP) — Neil Warnock was sacked as manager of Premier League strugglers Queens Park Rangers (QPR) yesterday, the club confirmed.

“Queens Park Rangers Football Club has today parted company with manager Neil Warnock,” said a statement.

The west London side are currently just a point above the relegation zone and have lost six and drawn two of their last eight league matches.

And they needed a last-minute goal to secure a 1-1 draw at third division Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup third round yesterday.

It was all too much for QPR’s Malaysian businessman owner Tony Fernandes, who took over the club early in the season.

Now Mark Hughes, who has been in charge of several Premier League clubs, as well as Wales, is among those linked with replacing Warnock at Loftus Road.

QPR’s statement acknowledged Warnock’s role in leading the club back to the top-flight for the first time in 15 years last season, but stressed: “The board’s commitment to retaining our Premier League status ultimately led to this decision.

“QPR assistant manager Mick Jones and first-team coach Keith Curle have also left the club.”

Warnock, 63, boasted a record of 33 wins from 84 games in charge, with 27 draws and 24 defeats since taking over QPR in March 2010.

But with just four league wins behind him so far this season, Warnock’s position looked increasingly vulnerable, especially after Fernandes warned Friday: “It’s important to note no-one’s job is safe. Results are key.”

However, Warnock left QPR proud of his record at Loftus Road, saying yesterday: “Obviously I’m very disappointed, but having achieved so much, I leave the club with a great sense of pride.

“I have enjoyed my time here more than anywhere else, and the QPR fans have been brilliant with me — they deserve success.

“My biggest regret is that the takeover didn’t happen earlier, because that would have given me the opportunity to bring in the targets I’d pinpointed all last summer and probably given us a better chance to succeed in the Premier League.

“I’ve been involved in the game a long time and I will be spending the immediate future with my family and friends before deciding my next career move.”

Fernandes added: “Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the board felt it was the right time to make

a change.

“Neil has acted with honesty, professionalism and integrity throughout his time at the club, and I would personally like to thank him for his significant contribution to QPR over the last 22 months.

“I genuinely wish him all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome back at Loftus Road.”

Rangers added an announcement on Warnock’s successor would be made in “due course”.