Gregory replaces Waddock at QPR

Last updated : 20 September 2006 By Tony Scholes
Waddock took over as caretaker last February during the farcical situation that saw Ian Holloway placed on garden leave, but it wasn't until Holloway accepted the job at Plymouth that the appointment could be made official.

So it was his first game as the official manager when they came to the Turf to get the season underway and it has hardly gone to plan with just one league victory, at home to Southend, from the first eight games. It all came to a head on Saturday when Waddock described his team's performance as a shambles and embarrassing so today's news comes as no real surprise.

Neither is his replacement a surprise, former player Gregory, a close friend of Chairman Gianni Paladini, was linked strongly with the job last season, and has more than once recently made it known that he is keen to get back to management, his last job at Derby came to an end in March 2003.

Gregory had previously managed Portsmouth, Plymouth, Wycombe and Aston Villa and has now signed a deal with QPR. Waddock will remain with the club, and with the team, and will become first team coach working with new man Gregory.