DOWIE ARRIVES
Wednesday 14th May 2008
by Ron Norris

As expected Iain Dowie was named as the new First Team Coach at QPR today signing a two year deal to take over as Luigi De Canio’s successor at Loftus Road.  

Dowie returns to Rangers after stints as both Assistant Manager and Caretaker Manager in the past. After QPR he has had mixed spells in charge of Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry.  

Whilst he has shown glimpses of potential in the past he has never quite made the breakthrough as “the next big thing” in coaching and hasn’t really settled at any of his last three clubs.  

There really couldn’t be a better time to be QPR manager (or coach), Dowie will inherit a good squad and will have the support of ambitious owners prepared to back him to the hilt in the search of progression. 

However his first job will be to win over a sceptical fanbase some of whom are fairly unexcited about his arrival after having talk of “global brands” and “new eras” constantly thrown at them via the media for weeks.  

While the PR the owners are drumming up for the club is quite exceptional it has raised expectations for next season to an arguably unfair level and Dowie will need to get off to a flying start if he is to avoid suffering a backlash against his appointment.  

Hopefully he’ll revel at the chance he’s been given and do well. If he can bring some of the magic he showed during his early days at Palace then we’ll all be happy.