Queens Park Rangers have appointed Ian Holloway as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The Championship outfit have moved quickly to replace Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was sacked six days ago following a run of just two wins from their last 11 games.

The 53-year-old Holloway has been out of work since leaving Millwall last year, but now returns to Loftus Road where he previously spent five years as a player and a further five years as manager.

"I feel honoured, privileged and proud. It's a huge moment for me and I am delighted to be back here. I feel this is the right time for me. I feel like I'm back home now and I can't wait to get started. I care deeply for this football club and I want to help Les, Lee and our wonderful owners create something we can all be proud of," he told the club's official website.

"Does anyone know this club better than me? Probably not. Has it changed much? Maybe. But I know what it means to everyone out there. People would die for this club – and I want our players to show that in their performance, and our fans to show them that they care about the players as much as I will do as their manager.

"My job is to try and help this squad improve and create an environment that the players can succeed in, especially at Loftus Road, where the fans love to see players express themselves. I want to try and galvanise this squad and make my owners smile. Hopefully this is the start of something here."

Director of football Les Ferdinand added: "It's an exciting appointment for the football club and one I am sure the supporters will fully embrace. Ian is QPR through and through and knows both what it takes and what it means to manage this club.

"He knows the club inside-out, but more importantly than that, he knows the Championship inside-out. He's managed hundreds of games at this level and has enjoyed great success too. We're absolutely delighted to have him on board."

Holloway, won promotion from League One to the Championship with QPR in 2004 and has also steered Blackpool and Crystal Palace into the Premier League during his managerial career.

Holloway's first match in charge of the team will come against Norwich City at Loftus Road after the international break.