Queens Park Rangers co-owner Tony Fernandes has officially departed from his involvement with the Championship club after an impressive 12-year tenure.
Back in 2011, Fernandes, alongside Ruben Gnanalingam and Kamarudin Meranun, acquired the west London club, marking the beginning of an era. In 2018, he took the decision to step down as co-chairman, further emphasizing his dedication to the team.
The recent club statement confirmed that the Malaysian businessman, renowned for founding AirAsia, no longer holds any shares in QPR Holdings Limited. This news brings both sadness and a sense of nostalgia as Fernandes bids farewell to his beloved club.
Embed from Getty ImagesExpressing his emotions, Fernandes remarked, “This decision to step away is made with a heavy heart. I would like to thank the supporters who have been a part of the thrilling journey of the past decade. I will continue to closely follow QPR’s progress and wish the board nothing but success for the future.”
Majority shareholder Gnanalingam, deeply affected by this development, stated, “Today is a somber day for the club, and particularly for me, as Tony and I embarked on this journey together. We have witnessed extraordinary moments during this period, most notably our remarkable survival in the Premier League in 2012 and our triumphant play-off success in 2014. Undoubtedly, there have been challenges along the way, but Tony’s unwavering commitment to the club remains unquestionable.”
It is important to note that QPR faced a challenging season, finishing 20th in the Championship last year. Since their relegation from the Premier League in 2015, they have only managed to secure a top-10 position in the league once.
As QPR bids farewell to Tony Fernandes, the club will undoubtedly look to forge a new path and strive for success in the upcoming seasons. The legacy and good intentions that Fernandes leaves behind will forever be remembered in the annals of the club’s history.
