Harry Redknapp has hinted that he may quit Queens Park Rangers at the end of the season after refusing to sign a new deal at the club.
The Hoops are currently rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after seven games and Redknapp admits he is unlikely to continue at the Loftus Park helm if he suffers relegation.
Talks to negotiate Redknapp's contract -- which expires in June -- have been ongoing since May, but The Sun says that the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham manager told chairman Tony Fernandes three weeks ago that his future depends on QPR's Premier League survival.
#INSERT type:image caption:Redknapp says that he is unlikely to continue as QPR manager if the club are relegated from the Premier League. END#
"The truth of it is I told Tony three or four weeks ago that I do not want a contract," Redknapp, 67, said. "We'll see where QPR finish the season and take it from there.
"If we get relegated I wouldn't expect to stay and I wouldn't want to. I told Tony that I get on so well with him and know him so well I don't want a contract.
"I don't need one. If I'd wanted to sign the contract I could've done a long time ago.
"So we'll see where we are come next May won't we? I may have had enough by then and so might the people that run the club."
QPR's 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday has attracted a plethora of negative criticism among the English media, with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville condemning the R's performance as "diabolical."
Fernandes hit out at his side's display via Twitter on Monday, but Redknapp insists that he is determined to turn the QPR ship around, especially once key players return from injury.
Stand tall and be brave . we got good players. Its time they get fit and get ready for battle.
- Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) October 5, 2014
That's it .there should be no more excuses from anyone especially me .buck stops at me . I'm up for the battle .
- Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) October 6, 2014
I'm not stupid or a quitter. All I can assure fans is as always we will be transparent and leave no stone unturned to stay up and build .
- Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) October 6, 2014
"I can't say I'm enjoying being bottom but I'm still up for the challenge," he added. "I've got injuries too. Sandro is a key player for me and can't last 90 minutes at the moment."
Meanwhile, QPR full-back Armand Traore has provided a critical assessment of his team, admitting they need to address several glaring weaknesses if they are to avoid relegation back to the Championship.
"I think we don't work hard enough, if I'm honest," Traore said, as reported by The Times. "We need to use the two weeks of the international break to work on our fitness."
QPR's fitness has been a constant source of concern for Redknapp, who admitted his team started the season lacking the levels required to perform at the elite level.
#INSERT type:image caption:Traore has called on his QPR teammates to boost their fitness and team spirit if they want to avoid relegation. END#
Traore also feels that the new signings have not yet bedded in at QPR and the club ought to take measures to boost morale and spirit amongst the squad.
"Every week I say the same things," Traore continued. "If there's one thing we cannot lack, it's fitness. I don't think we lack desire. I think in certain areas we lack some fitness and sharpness. We need to work on this and on everything really.
"I think we need to gel as a team. There's a few players that came in. We need to bond on and off the pitch. If it means going out for a bowling night or whatever. The captain needs to organise this, it's always good for the team."
Clint Hill is the club captain at Loftus Road but Joey Barton has adorned the armband in his absence and Traore believes that QPR are reeling from the loss of the influential midfielder, who was ruled out of the defeat to West Ham with a hamstring injury.
QPR have a tough run of fixtures after the international break -- facing Liverpool, Aston Villa, Chelsea and then Manchester City - and Traore says the club's non-internationals must take the extended break to work hard on their fitness.
"Joey is a big miss because he is a leader as well as a workhorse," Traore added. "I think he is on the way back from his injury and will be back for Liverpool, hopefully. It can only help the team.
"I think the quality is definitely there. We just need to work on it and get fit."