Dowie leads race for QPR job after De Canio exit

Iain Dowie is favourite to become QPR manager following first team coach Luigi De Canio's exit.

Rangers' chairman Gianni Paladini has been linked with former England coach Steve McClaren and ex-Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce as he looks to bring in a home-grown coach.

But Sportsmail understands former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss Dowie is the number one choice of Paladini and wealthy co-owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, who are backed by the family of Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fifth richest man.

The ex-Northern Ireland striker has been out of work since he was sacked by Coventry chairman Ray Ransom in February and has been working as a television pundit.

Dowie was caretaker manager at Loftus Road briefly in 1998 following the sacking of Ray Harford and appointment of Gerry Francis and he went on to finish his playing career there before taking managerial jobs at Oldham, Palace, Charlton and Coventry.