When Ryan Manning, hopefully, looks back on a long and successful career in football, he may think of Ian Holloway as the man to thank for it.
Nearly two years after joining QPR, the Galwayman still had not made a senior appearance for the club. That changed when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was sacked and Holloway was installed as manager.
Steve Gallen was a coach at QPR for 19 years before leaving in January of last year. His time at the club coincided with Manning's first 12 months in London.
Speaking to the Brent and Kilburn Times, Gallen agreed that Holloway has been a real positive for Manning's career.
I’m absolutely delighted for Ryan. He’s one of the nicest lads I’ve met in football and is so humble.
Ian Holloway coming into QPR has completed turned his career around. Under Jimmy [Floyd Hasselbaink] there was a different way of playing at QPR and Ryan didn’t really fit into that.
Ollie has a different approach to the game though and Ryan is exactly the type of player you want in the team for the system they’re currently playing.
Gallen disclosed that Manning found the transition from playing League of Ireland with Galway United a little bit tough. Expectation from those at QPR and people at home may have weighed down the young player.
I must admit I was a bit surprised to see him get a chance [in the first team] considering the way it was going for him while I was at the club, and obviously after that, but it’s really great news.
He found it difficult to adapt to English football straight away, but there was so much expectation on him, not just from people around the club but also from Ireland too.
He’s always been a smart football player with a cracking left foot – so good on Ollie for giving him a a chance and they’re both reaping the rewards from it.
Gallen, who is the brother of former QPR striker Kevin Gallen, says that one of the great things about Manning is his willingness to take on board advice from a manager or coach.
One of the best things about Ryan, just like Michael Harriman (the ex-QPR player) is that when a manager or coach tells him to do something, he does it, no questions asked.
Some young players think they can run before they can walk, but Ryan is the complete opposite of that.
He takes everything on board and every single day he trains he is determined to better himself and keep on improving.
His knowledge of the game is excellent too and he’ll give absolutely everything, whether that be on the training ground or in games.
I’m really over the moon for the lad, he deserves this opportunity and I hope he continues to shine.
