Paul Hart has been named the new boss of QPR until the end of the season. The 56-year-old is back in management less than a month after being axed by Portsmouth and replaces Jim Magilton, whose controversial departure by "mutual consent" was confirmed late Wednesday night.

Former Luton boss Mick Harford, who had a spell in caretaker charge of Rangers in 2007, will be Hart's assistant.

Their first game in charge will be against Sheffield United at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Magilton was suspended by the club over a dressing-room bust-up with midfielder Akos Buzsaky following the televised 3-1 defeat at Watford on December 7.

Hart's appointment sees the Rangers managerial reins change hands for an incredible ninth time in just over two years since Flavio Briatore arrived at the club.

Hart shrugged off the controversy surrounding Jim Magilton's departure.

"That has nothing to do with me," said Hart. "I'm here now, what has happened in the past has happened and I don't know too much about it. We have to look to the future.

"We've got a strong squad of players and we feel we might cause a bit of damage in the Championship."

He added: "There have been one or two offers and I am grateful to those clubs. But this one appealed to me more. This has the potential to be a big, big club.

"If we need to buy in January then that will be the case. And yes, it will be my decision."

But he said: "I like to work, and the opportunity to work and to come to a club of this stature so quickly was important to me.

"I am here for a short period - it might be longer - until the end of the season and that is time for us all to have a look at each other, to see if we like each other and to get on with it."