Briatore links Lippi with QPR

(GETTY IMAGES)

QPR co-owner Flavio Briatore has revealed his "dream" to have former Italy coach Marcello Lippi in charge of the club if they reach the Premier League.

Rangers are currently top of the npower Championship under Neil Warnock, having employed a succession of managers while Briatore was chairman.

But, although he stood down from the position in February, it seems Briatore still wants a say in football matters at Loftus Road.

Briatore told Italian magazine Chi: "Bernie Ecclestone and I have a 70 per cent stake in QPR, and we are top of the table.

"If we go into the Premier League, I have a dream. That is to have Marcello Lippi as our coach."

Rangers were quick to distance themselves from Briatore's comments this morning.

A club statement read: "Following speculation in today's press, we would like to confirm that stories linking Marcello Lippi with Queens Park Rangers Football Club are completely unfounded.

"The Board of Directors - including Bernie Ecclestone, Amit Bhatia and Flavio Briatore - are 100% behind Neil Warnock and will continue to be so in the future."