"I wouldn't have full confidence" - QPR doubts raised as talks held with potential new manager | OneFootball

According to John Percy, former Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has reportedly held talks with QPR over the managerial role at Loftus Road

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

According to John Percy at The Telegraph, former Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has reportedly held talks with QPR over the managerial role at Loftus Road, following Marti Cifuentes (pictured below) being put on gardening leave before the end of the season.

Only 36, the Dane was sacked by the Canaries in April. After less than a full season in charge, Norwich ended the season finishing mid-table - in 13th.

Johannes Hoff Thorup's brief spell at Norwich raises QPR questions

Thorup arrived at Norforlk in May 2024, signing a three-year-contract after impressing with an attractive style of play in his native Denmark.

Mark Attanasio, majority shareholder at Norwich, felt Thorup failed to replicate his playing style in England, sacking him in April after losing six out of eight Championship games, winning only once in that time.

When he got dismissed, Thorup spoke to Danish Outlet Tipsbladet and suggested there was misalignment in what was expected of him during his time there, but did say he would've "done some things differently".

Worry over whether Hoff Thorup is the right man to take charge of Loftus Road

We spoke with Louis Moir, our very own QPR Fan Pundit, about the situation. He expressed caution but wanted to keep open-minded regarding the potential appointment.

"Obviously there’s been talk of Johannes Hoff Thorup being the new QPR manager. I think that one would cause a lot of uncertainty. I think obviously, with the way his managerial career ended so quickly at Norwich last season and that was his first season in England," Louis told FLW.

"Obviously, he’s still young for a manager, he might have found it all a bit too much and challenging, but can you really rule someone out that quickly? He’s only had one job - not even a full season in the Championship - probably not.

"It’s harsh to say I wouldn’t want him. He probably fits the bill potentially. With the model maybe now that we look at, maybe European, foreign coach, young, upcoming. He might tick a few boxes. It’s just that way it ended at Norwich wasn’t ideal.

"It’ll be too harsh for someone to say you don’t want him. Obviously, Norwich weren’t - we beat them at home last season comfortably - and then away we should’ve beaten them but drew. When I saw Norwich play, they weren’t the best side, but they had their good moments, more so at the start of the season.

"There’s potential there, and he’s clearly probably a good coach and his record at his former club before Norwich was overall quite good, so there’s definitely ability there - I wouldn’t say it’ll be the wrong move, but I wouldn’t have full confidence about it, but I wouldn’t write it off either."

Norwich did show early signs of promise under Thorup

Norwich were very inconsistent results-wise under Thorup, but they did manage to maintain one of the best attacking outputs in the division, scoring 71 goals - something which was only bettered by this year's champions, Leeds United (95).

It might be wise to put more focus on the positives that happened at FC Nordsjælland - instead of his spell at Norwich, where his development of youth suggests there probably is more to the young manager than that spell in Norfolk indicates.

The R's will need to weigh whether Thorup's coaching ability outweighs any concerns taken from his Norwich spell - which will surely be touched on during discussions.

As Louis told FLW, whilst there's still no guarantee of it working out, ruling out Thorup purely based on his previous experience in the country might be a bit premature, and it'll be better to see if it comes to fruition first.