Tony Fernandes has insisted he is not frightened by the prospect of relegation and is committed to a long-term project at QPR.
Owner looking 15 or 20 years into the future
Queens Park Rangers owner Tony Fernandes has insisted he is not frightened by the prospect of relegation and is committed to a long-term project at Loftus Road.
Fernandes took over the club last summer but his financial backing has failed to keep QPR clear of the scrap for Premier League survival.
They are only above the bottom three on goal difference and there have been doubts about whether Fernandes would stay if the immediate future lies in the Championship.
The Malaysian has now moved to reassure supporters, insisting he has the strength of character to come through tough times.
"The QPR fans are just getting to know me. So no, I'm not going to run away," he told
The Independent.
"I started an airline with two planes, been through SARS, bird flu, a tsunami, an earthquake, terrorism and airports closed for seven days. Relegation isn't going to scare me.
Hiccups
"It's a long-term project and Rome wasn't built in a day. Along the way there will be hiccups. But when you look back in 15 and 20 years' time, we will be proud of what we achieved."
Fernandes has been encouraged by the way new manager Mark Hughes has gone about his business since replacing Neil Warnock at the helm, and is hopeful they can get back on track against Everton this weekend.
"Mark Hughes has brought new energy to the club but we haven't had the best of luck," he said.
"But we have a good squad. We have a tough few weeks but if we come through that I'm really looking forward to the future.
"The main aim is to stay in the Premier League, but other plans have to go on. The training ground is looking good and the stadium is something I have been working on.
"Amazingly, it's easier buying 100 planes than building a stadium in the UK."
