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Queens Park Rangers' English manager Paul Hart pictured at their FA Cup third round replay against Sheffield United at Loftus Road, London, on January 12. Hart has stood down as manager of Championship side QPR after just five games in charge, the club announced on Friday.

He is the sixth boss to have held the post at Loftus Road in the two and a half years that former Renault Formula One chief Flavio Briatore has been the club owner.

The 56-year-old, who was sacked by Premier League side Portsmouth late last year, had been expected to stay in the job until the end of the season but now leaves the club after less than a month.

Some reports suggested the decision came after Hart fell out with the Rangers board over transfers, while an argument with on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt has also been reported.

A QPR statement read: "The club can confirm that manager Paul Hart has decided to leave Queens Park Rangers Football Club with immediate effect."

Assistant manager Mick Harford will take charge for Saturday's trip to Blackpool in his second spell as QPR caretaker boss.

After being caretaker in 2007, he was overlooked for the permanent job in favour of Italian Luigi De Canio.

Harford admitted he was shocked by Hart's walk-out, but is keen to take the job on a permanent basis.

"I got a phone call last night asking me to take charge. It's something I have had to prepare quickly for because the main focus right now is getting the players ready for Blackpool," Harford told QPR's website.

"It's a sad occasion with the manager leaving his post but that happens in football. I have been given what I consider an opportunity to stake my claim for the job.

"I spoke with Paul last night as well as this morning. He enjoyed his brief time here and had a good rapport with the players and the staff.

"It's one of those unfortunate situations we find ourselves in. I'm going to try to get the team back to winning ways.

"The team have won only once in their last ten and that's something we need to look at."

Hart's final game in charge was Tuesday night's 3-2 Cup defeat by Sheffield United, watched by Briatore and fellow co-owner Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone.

A crowd of only 5,780 watched Rangers fall 3-0 behind and booed Hart when he brought off midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, to replace him with Taarabt.

The Hoops are currently 10th in the Championship ahead of tomorrow's trip to Blackpool, who are managed by their former boss Ian Holloway.

Under Briatore, permanent managers John Gregory, De Canio, Iain Dowie, Paulo Sousa, Jim Magilton and Hart have departed while Harford, Gareth Ainsworth (twice) and youth coaches Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham have had spells in caretaker charge.

Former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has already been linked with the role.