Tony Fernandes "hurt" by attitude of Queens Park Rangers squad

By Liam Power, Reporter | 30 April 2013

Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes admits that he was "hurt" and "shocked" by his side's attitude after relegation was confirmed at Reading on Sunday.

Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has admitted that the attitude of his players after being relegated last weekend left him "hurt" and "shocked".

Relegation for Harry Redknapp's side was confirmed on Sunday in a goalless draw with Reading, which saw both teams consigned to the Championship at the full-time whistle.

With a number of QPR players criticised for their performances in recent months, Fernandes has admitted that mistakes have been made across the board at Loftus Road.

He said: "We are two years wiser than when we arrived. We want players that want to play for us. Players that want to win. Players who get disappointed like I do when we lose.

"It's heart-breaking for me when we lose. There is nothing I have gone through that is as disappointing as losing a football game. It hurt me when I saw some of the players who didn't feel the way I felt. In their case it should be worse because this is their job, it's their life. It wasn't a good feeling. It was probably the low point for me when I saw the reaction of some of the players. It has shocked me.

"It's an alien concept to me that someone takes someone's salary, doesn't put 100% in, thinks: 'Oh, we lost. No big deal. What club are we going to tonight?' That is an alien concept to me. It wasn't right to say anything during the season, but I noticed everything and I am a little bit wiser for it now."

Fernandes also confirmed in a statement yesterday that Redknapp will stay on as QPR boss next season and lead a promotion push in West London.