Queens Park Rangers have announced that Les Ferdinand has been promoted to director of football at Loftus Road.

The 48-year-old was tipped as a candidate for the manager's job following Harry Redknapp's resignation yesterday.

However, Ferdinand has now been given the responsibility of overseeing the entire football department after spending three months as head of football operations at the Premier League club.

Chairman Tony Fernandes told the club's official website: "I've been really impressed with the job Les has done in his short time here and as such I am keen for his role to evolve, with the clear mandate of assisting us in developing and evolving the footballing department, from the academy to the first team.

"This is a new strategy for us. Our recruitment policy at QPR is changing. The recent addition of Ryan Manning to the elite development squad is a sign of what we will be trying to do here. We want to develop a philosophy of buying young, hungry players, who can go on to forge decent careers with us."

Ferdinand added: "Everyone knows what this club means to me and if anything the last few months have only enhanced the feelings I have for QPR.

"Working closely with Tony and the board, I can assure QPR fans that they are desperate to create a lasting legacy at Loftus Road and the role of director of football will be hugely important in terms of where we want to take this club in the future.

"Some of the management courses I've taken over the last few years were with a role like this in mind, so I couldn't be more delighted."

Former Tottenham Hotspur coach Tim Sherwood is the favourite to replace Redknapp.