QPR confirm Hart has left club after just five games
Manager Paul Hart has left Championship side QPR after only five games in charge.
Hart, who was dismissed as Portsmouth boss in November, took charge of QPR in December after Jim Magilton left the club by mutual consent. Hart was the sixth permanent boss to have taken charge of the Rs during Flavio Briatore's two-and-a-half-year reign.
A club statement read: "The club can confirm that manager Paul Hart has decided to leave Queens Park Rangers Football Club with immediate effect.
"Assistant manager Mick Harford will be taking charge of First Team affairs, starting with this weekend's Championship fixture at Blackpool. The club will be making no further comment at this stage."
Hart led the club to one win, one draw and one defeat in the league, as well as exiting the FA Cup after losing a replay against Sheffield United on Tuesday night having drawn the original tie 1-1.
It has been reported that his departure came as the result of a disagreement over transfers with the board, while an argument with on-loan Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt has also been suggested as a potential reason.
The League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan said: "I am able to say that Paul Hart has left the football club. I understand that he was very unhappy with certain situations which have to remain confidential and felt that resignation was in the best interests of all concerned.
"Paul wants to thank his staff and the fans for their support during his period at the club and wishes them, and the club, well for the future".
QPR chairman Briatore yet again finds himself hunting for a manager to succeed where John Gregory, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie, Paulo Sousa, Jim Magilton and now Hart have failed.
Alan Curbishley and Steve Coppell are already being linked with the role, although the instability at the club will not sit well with either.
Cretaker-boss Harford is himself a previous casualty of Rangers' managerial graveyard when, as caretaker in 2007, he was overlooked for the permanent job in favour of little-known Italian De Canio.
The former Luton boss admitted he was shocked by Hart's walk-out, but has already thrown his hat into the ring for the role.
Harford told QPR's official website: "I got a phone call last night asking me to take charge. It's something I have had to prepare quickly for because the main focus right now is getting the players ready for Blackpool.
"It's a sad occasion with the manager leaving his post but that happens in football. I have been given what I consider an opportunity to stake my claim for the job.''
But Harford added: "I spoke with Paul last night as well as this morning. He enjoyed his brief time here and had a good rapport with the players and the staff.''
