Hands-on Flavio Briatore may hold back Hoops' dreams

Sources close to both Briatore and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia have hinted at clashes between the pair over the management of the club. When asked to explain these rumours and clarify Dowie's exit, the club, Bhatia and Briatore declined to comment.

Their silence has left fans feeling frustrated, especially in light of the ticket price hikes that were later softened by Bhatia, presumably in a bid to win fans' support.

Neil Jackson, spokesman for QPR 1st Supporters Trust, said: "Dowie was sacked after 15 games so if it was a performance issue, I can't make sense of it. It is clear Flavio Briatore is having a very strong input. Does Flavio have the football knowledge to pick the team? I don't know. Some of the purchases have not worked out and that is concerning."

Of course Briatore wants Rangers to be a success and it must be remembered his £14million bailed out the club but the new branding and the celebrity 'It' crowd would appear to hint at a desire for a west London plaything.

By contrast, Bhatia, the son-in-law of co-owner Lakshmi Mittal, is painting himself as a football man hence it was he who announced the U-turn on certain ticket prices. Bhatia is also said to have been reluctant to fire Dowie (right). The players also appear confused.

Defender Peter Ramage said: "It's a strange situation. I have never encountered an owner who is so hands on but if we win our next eight games, people will say he is a genius.

"It's good that he takes an interest because it shows he cares. The power struggle or whatever is going on is no concern of the players we are paid to play and that's what we'll do."

Standard Sport understands Ainsworth will not be given the job on a permanent basis and that Briatore would prefer to appoint an Italian with Roberto Mancini, Roberto Donadoni and Gianluca Vialli under consideration.

Failing that, leading English contenders include Terry Venables and Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson.

Any manager will need to work within the Briatore framework, which appears to be that the co-owner will influence both transfer policy and team selection.

A long shot who would fit that bill is Damiano Tommasi, the 34-year-old former Italy international, who signed for Rangers thanks to Briatore as a player but has struggled with injury.

But as Tottenham fans could testify, until there is a united boardroom with a single vision and a manager in place who is given time, QPR remain very much a work in progress. And despite Briatore's business and sporting acumen there's no guarantee the second year of his four-year plan will see any more success than the first.