QPR chairman has revealed the real reason why Harry Redknapp resigned.

Tony Fernandes was in a different part of the world when the ex-manager called to say he was quitting the club a day after the January transfer window closed.

The former Tottenham manager cited ongoing trouble with his knees for walking out on a side deep in relegation trouble.

But Fernandes sees a different side to the shock resignation.

QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes in the stands

“I was brushing my teeth in a different time zone, and I really feel my legs are going and it’s going to be a dogfight if I stepped down and you got someone else,” Fernandes explained.

“I asked him if that’s really what you want to do, and he said: ’yeah.’ We left it as good friends. But I think the main cause was he had given all he’d got.”

Redknapp was clearly frustrated players failed to arrive in January, with Fernandes and Rs determined to finally get a grip on club finances.

And although the chair readily admitted he had spoken to Tim Sherwood, who finally ended up at Aston Villa, the way forward was to appoint Chris Ramsey, and a period of consolidation and rebuilding.

Way forward: Chris Ramsey

Fernandes said: “It would have been dumb not to have spoken to Tim, as well as some other guys. But didn’t think it was right. I’m desperate for some longevity, and someone who will be here for a long time.

It didn’t sit in the scheme of things (to appoint Sherwood). I kept pushing Chris before Harry left, but Harry was comfortable with the team he had.

“Fans were saying give him a chance. Players were texting me after (an away win over) Sunderland (see gallery), but we had already made the decision on the Sunday before.

“I wanted someone who believed in coaching players; someone who could take an 18-year-old and make him something special. Chris fits that.

“For players who haven’t been playing, especially those low on confidence, it was good to have someone whose hands on and gives you confidence.”