Queens Park Rangers have Neil Critchley ‘high’ on their list of managerial candidates, according to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas.

The Lowdown: Beale’s departure

The Championship outfit are now on the lookout for a new manager following Michael Beale’s move to Glasgow Rangers on Monday, and there have already been several names doing the rounds.

Mark Robins and Chris Wilder are among the main contenders who have been circulating, but it appears that the former Blackpool coach has now emerged as the frontrunner to take charge at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

The Latest: Critchley is a favourite

Taking to Twitter, Thomas revealed that QPR have placed Critchley near the top of their wish list in the search for a successor to Beale.

He wrote: “Neil Critchley high on list of potential candidates to replace #Rangers-bound Mick Beale at #QPR. Critchley worked with him at #Liverpool and then replaced him as Gerrard’s assistant at #AstonVilla. #QPR looking at others too of course.”

The Verdict: Perfect candidate

Critchley guided the Tangerines to promotion to the Championship during his first season in charge, and with the R's also aiming to make the jump up a division, he would appear to be the perfect man for the job.

The 44-year-old has lost just 73 of his 215 career matches in charge (winning 98 and drawing 44), which has seen him dubbed an ‘unbelievable’ professional by former Liverpool player Pedro Chirivella.

Critchley knows what it takes to compete at the top end of the table, and given his impressive track record, he would be worth taking a shot for QPR.