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Definitely no regrets

SOMETHING SPECIAL: Fernandes happy with purchase of QPR despite club's relegation

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes

 SINGAPORE: Queen's Park Rangers owner Tan Sri Tony Fernandes yesterday said he doesn't regret buying the club despite their relegation from England's top flight, adding that he still hopes to turn it into "something special".


Fernandes, who ploughed millions of pounds into QPR in a bid to keep them in the Premier League, said he had no interest in owning bigger clubs like Liverpool or Arsenal as that would mean "buying someone else's success".

"I bought Queen's Parks Rangers, and we all know, it's been well documented, the bad season we had last year. Would I do it again? Absolutely!" he told journalists in Singapore, at the launch of a sponsorship deal between his budget airline, AirAsia, and the national team.

"People said, why didn't I buy Liverpool or Arsenal? That will never be me," said the Malaysian tycoon. "I would have been buying someone else's success.

"I didn't make Liverpool the great club it was. Bill Shankly, and all the other previous owners did."
Fernandes, who also owns the Caterham Formula One racing team, said he knew relegation was a strong possibility when he bought the club in 2011. He previously estimated that he has invested around STG50 million (RM250 million) in the West London outfit.

"But in 10 years' time, in 12 years' time, if we are able to build something special at QPR, we can stand back and say 'Wow, we did that'," he said.

The colourful entrepreneur said the deal between AirAsia -- QPR's shirt sponsor -- and the Singapore team could see local players taking training stints at the club under Harry Redknapp, "the man who drives me crazy".

"Believe me, I have met people from all over the world and there's only one Harry Redknapp. I am very lucky to have got a fantastic manager like him," he said.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admitted he is pushing the club's director of football Joe Kinnear to bring in new signings immediately.

Kinnear was controversially put in charge of Newcastle's transfer strategy instead of Pardew after being hired by Magpies owner Mike Ashley last month.
The former Wimbledon boss vowed to implement Newcastle's recruitment plans swiftly after holding talks with Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

However, the Magpies went into Tuesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal without a single new signing.
Pardew's squad have shrunk after the departures of Shane Ferguson, Steve Harper, Danny Simpson and James Perch and, with the new Premier League season just three weeks away, he is getting increasingly desperate for Kinnear to make a splash in the transfer market.

"I'm pushing Joe to get a transfer in. I think we need a boost now," Pardew told the Newcastle Chronicle.
"We are in a situation where we want to progress now. The team are in a good place."
Pardew's main focus for improvements has been his forward line and Newcastle remain keen on both Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis and Aston Villa's Darren Bent.

Long-serving striker Shola Ameobi scored Newcastle's equaliser on Tuesday amid rumours he could leave before the start of the season, but given his lack of strength in depth, Pardew is reluctant to allow that to happen.

"Shola is a player that is under contract here. He's not made any noises to me that he wants to leave," Pardew said.
"Certainly with my striker situation at the moment, I need as many as I can get." AFP

Read more: Definitely no regrets - Soccer - New Straits Times

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