New QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists no one will “pinch” Charlie Austin in January.
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Austin is out of contract at the end of the season and a number of top-flight teams have been linked with making a move when the transfer window opens next month, but Hasselbaink is ready to reject any approaches. In his latest press conference, ESPN quotes Hasselbaink as saying “you don’t pinch. It’s a good fit for me and I am very happy to be the chosen one, to be the head of the QPR family and to take them forward”.
“I’m very excited, and very privileged to be given this opportunity”, he said.
“But it’s a team game”. I don’t want individuals.
“He has to bring something to the team, otherwise you can not do it and, if you do that, the senior player will have to understand”.
The former Leeds and Chelsea striker landed the Rangers job after his achievements at Burton, where he guided the unfashionable midlands club to the League Two title last season and left them last week sitting at the top of League One.
Hasselbaink was a prolific striker for Chelsea in his playing career, with 88 goals in 177 appearances, but his former club are now struggling in 14th place in the Premier League under manager Jose Mourinho. Individuals win just the game. “That’s the easiest way, and that’s the best way”.
“I want to work with this group first, I think they deserve that”, he said.
“I feel that I have to bring through English players”. Hard work. Being committed.
“There is a certain way I work and want my players to work”.
“If someone came in with the right price of course we would not want to lose him, but at the same time you don’t want to keep a player who is unhappy and does not want to be at the football club”. “If they throw the dummy out, you pick it up and put it back in their mouth”.
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He added: ” I’ve been fortunate to have played under a lot of good managers and great people, but they are not Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
