Queens Park Rangers owner Tony Fernandes has revealed that he would not have sacked Mark Hughes if Harry Redknapp not been available to take over at Loftus Road.
Under Hughes's guidance, the R's were bottom of the table and without a victory in any competition.
That eventually resulted in the Welshman being dismissed in November, with former Tottenham Hotspur boss Redknapp filling the void.
However, had Redknapp not been interested in the role, Fernandes has admitted that he would have stuck by Hughes.
"Harry is a special manager," said Fernandes. "If he wasn't available, I would probably have persevered with Mark, but Harry is a fantastic manager.
"I've known him for years going back to when he was at West Ham. Harry being available swung it for us."
QPR are unbeaten in four matches since Redknapp was appointed.