Could Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink make a return to management at Middlesbrough?placeholder image
Could Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink make a return to management at Middlesbrough? | Getty Images
The former QPR manager hasn't been in the dugout since a stint at Burton Albion in 2022.
Edwards left Boro with the team second in the division and chasing promotion, making it a sought-after vacancy in the EFL. The former Luton Town manager had only been appointed this summer but had his head turned by a return to the top flight.
Ex Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and former Rangers coach Steven Gerrard have since emerged as frontrunners but, on Thursday, another name was thrown into the mix by transfer specialist Alan Nixon.
Ex Chelsea and Charlton Athletic striker linked with Middlesbrough job
That’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The 53-year-old has had previous stints at Burton Albion and Northampton Town, as well as QPR. It’s claimed that Hasselbaink’s name has been floated by Boro owner Steve Gibson.
It’s added that Hasselbaink could perhaps return to the club on a deal until the end of the season. The former striker made 89 appearances for Middlesbrough as a player, finishing as a runner up in the UEFA Cup in 2006.
Hasselbaink is, of course, well known to football fans in the capital. He played 177 times for Chelsea over a four year stay, winning the Charity Shield in 2000 and finishing as an FA Cup runner-up in 2002.
Later on in his career, he also spent a season at Charlton Athletic during the 2006/07 campaign. It was somewhat of an underwhelming spell, with the striker managing just four goals in 29 outings, but his first strike did memorably come against his former club Chelsea.
Ex QPR manager would get Gareth Southgate backing
Nixon’s report adds that Hasselbaink would be given the recommendation of former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate with the two having worked together as part of the England set-up.
Hasselbaink was appointed as QPR manager in December 2015 and won 13 of his 47 matches in charge before being sacked in November 2016 with the side in 17th and just six points above the relegation zone.
Speaking after leaving Loftus Road, the manager said: “Managing Queens Park Rangers was a true privilege and a big opportunity for me as a coach. Whilst I am extremely disappointed that my time as manager of QPR has come to an end, as I still believe we were on course to achieve our targets, I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by the board.
“The club is in a transitional phase. A lot of players left last summer and were replaced by new players, who still need time to settle in. When I joined the club last season, I was excited by the project and the ambition the club has to one day return to the Premier League. I wish them all the best with achieving this goal.
“I would like to thank the players for their efforts. It was a pleasure to work with them and I wish them luck for the remainder of the season and their future careers. I would also like to thank my staff for their hard work and commitment throughout my time at the club.
“And finally, thanks to the loyal QPR fans who supported me and the team. With regard to my future, I hope to have many more years as a football manager and I will take what I have learned during my time at QPR with me into my next challenges.”
In other news, QPR set to sell 'forgotten' talisman as Charlton Athletic boss celebrates player's new contract - round-up.
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