QPR's search for a new manager had already begun before Michael Beale's departure to Rangers was confirmed on Monday, with Coventry City boss Mark Robins seemingly catching their eye.

According to Football League World, the 52-year-old manager is on the shortlist for the Hoops as they look for a new manager to get their promotion push back on track after their form has suffered in recent weeks.

The report suggests that QPR would be willing to pay the necessary compensation to bring Robins to Loftus Road, despite him signing a new contract with the Midlands side in May.

A return of just one point from a possible 15 has seen QPR drop out of the playoffs, so it is no surprise that they are targeting one of the division's most in-form managers in Robins.

His Coventry side shot up the table ahead of the World Cup break, winning each of their last four games without conceding a goal, with a playoff position certainly on the cards for the Sky Blues should they win their games in hand, despite the ongoing issues off the pitch.

During his time in charge at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry have earned two promotions from League Two and League One respectively, and he could still complete an extraordinary treble should he remain with the Sky Blues this season.

However, QPR will be hoping that they can tempt him to Loftus Road, as his experience and winning record suggest that he could even be an upgrade on the outgoing Beale.

In 286 games in charge of Coventry, Robins has won an impressive 119 matches, drawing 69 and losing 98, with a strong points-per-game average of 1.49.

For comparison, Beale averaged just 1.41 points per match after winning just nine of his 22 fixtures, so there seems little to suggest that Robins couldn't do a similarly impressive job at Loftus Road should he arrive as the former Aston Villa assistant's replacement.

Journalist Richard Keys was full of praise for Robins after he signed a new contract in May, with the Coventry fan perhaps a little biased in his description of the former Rotherham boss.

He said: "Robins is one of the brightest and best coaches outside the Premier League. He’s done an extraordinary job cleaning up a wasted decade inflicted by SISU."

Therefore, considering Robins' reputation, experience and recent form with Coventry, it seems clear that he would be an excellent appointment by the QPR board.