Mark Warburton: Queens Park Rangers boss to leave at end of season

Having played non-league football, Mark Warburton worked as a trader in London before moving into coaching 18 years ago

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed boss Mark Warburton will leave the Championship club in the summer.

The 59-year-old succeeded Steve McClaren as manager at Loftus Road in May 2019 but his contract runs out at the end of this season.

Warburton told a news conference earlier on Thursday that he expected to leave as no talks had been held over a new deal.

Chief executive Lee Hoos said the club wanted a "fresh start next season".

He told the club website: "In his three years, he has helped the club establish a style of play and a DNA for which we are hugely grateful.

"We wish Mark every success in the future. I would personally like to thank him for his incredible work ethic, professionalism and dedication during his time with us."

The 10th-placed R's host Sheffield United on Friday with their hopes of a play-off place all but gone after a torrid end to the campaign.

They were two points off the top two in January but have won just three of their past 16 games to slip back into mid-table.

"I've had no comments at all about next season so I am sure you can take from that what you will," Warburton told BBC Radio London earlier on Thursday.

"I think if that [staying] was the case, communication about contract talks would already have been held.

"I don't expect to be here [next season] but I will do the job to the best I can from here and see what happens after that."

Warburton's first season saw the R's finish 13th in the Championship, before a ninth-placed finish last in 2020-21.

The former Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss said the decision for him to leave was "the board's prerogative".

"The owners write the cheques," added Warburton.

"It's their money that goes into a football club, and whether you agree, disagree, it doesn't matter, it's their choice, because quite rightly they do write those cheques.

"It's always been the case, that's their prerogative, they live and die by decisions and all you can do while you're in situ, and fortunate and privileged enough to be in situ, is to work the very best you possibly can, so that won't change.

"For me I don't expect to be here, my job is to be as good as I can for as long as I can here and to see what happens after that."