View: Future of Aston Villa loanee Tim Iroegbunam thrown in the air after Neil Critchley sacking at QPR
Aston Villa academy graduate Tim Iroegbunam’s future while on loan at QPR may now hang in the balance after the sacking of Neil Critchley at Loftus Road.
Critchley, who was formerly part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff at Villa Park this season, was relieved of his duties on Sunday [The Athletic, 19 February] after the 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough left the club languishing in 17th in the Championship table.
Iroegbunam has thrived at the London club since making his season-long loan switch in the summer, where he was led by Michael Beale firstly, who he had prior experience working with, and then by Critchley – who he also crossed paths with at Villa Park.
Now, these prior connections aren’t the only reasons he has been a mainstay in the QPR side this season and amassed over 1700 minutes of Championship action this term, but it wouldn’t have done him any harm at all.
The 19-year-old’s previous working relationship with Beale on the training ground at Bodymoor Heath was one of the major reasons the club gave the green light for the loan deal to be struck, and he immediately showed signs of growth in the opening months of the season.
However, with the club now managerless and sitting just seven points above the relegation zone, Iroegbunam’s future is now very much in doubt.
If a new manager comes in, Iroegbunam could well be swept to the sidelines in favour of more experience in the middle of the park, and his loan spell could be severely impacted by the type of personnel brought into the club.
The England Under-20 international isn’t quite at a level to compete with the likes of Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz for a starting berth at Villa Park, so this loan spell is extremely important in his long-term growth.
Villa fans will hope that whoever is brought in to steady the ship at Loftus Road will take a liking to Iroegbunam and continue to offer him consistent game time in the Championship.
In other Aston Villa news, the club want to reunite with a former player for a fee in excess of £40million in the summer.