Mark Hughes has been confirmed as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The Welshman was made the favourite to take the job at Loftus Road after the sacking of Neil Warnock on Sunday.

“I’m fully aware of the challenge in the short and long term and I am genuinely excited about the ambition of the owners,” Hughes said.

“The immediate priority is to consolidate our place in the Premier League. The future is very bright.”

The 48-year-old, who will lead first-team training later on Tuesday, added that the role filled him with “great enthusiasm”.

Hughes, who has has previously managed Wales, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City, left Fulham in June citing his desire “to further my experiences” as “a young, ambitious manager”.

QPR lie 17th in the Premier League and have gone eight league games without a win, last picking up three points with a 3-2 win at Stoke on 19 November.

Club chairman Tony Fernandes, who completed his takeover in August, believes Hughes’ desire to prove himself makes him the ideal appointment.Horne

“Mark has a proven track record in the Premier League, bringing a wealth of experience at both club and international level,” he said.

“He has a great passion to achieve as a manager and has already been hugely successful in his career.

“His ambitions match those of the board and we are delighted to have him at the helm.”

QPR were promoted back to the top flight last season under Warnock and made an encouraging start to the season.

They were ninth after the victory at Stoke but have failed to win since then and have slid to within one point of the relegation zone.