GEORGE GRAHAM and Bruce Rioch will head QPR's wanted list as they seek a replacement for Ray Wilkins following his shock resignation from the club.

It is understood the former England international, just 10 days from his 40th birthday, felt the job of leading Rangers back to the Premiership was proving too much.

"I was absolutely shocked by Ray's decision," said the Rangers' chairman Chris Wright. "Ray is a genuinely nice and caring person and his view was that for the benefit of himself and what he wants out of life, and for the benefit of QPR and what they want, it would be better for everybody if he moved on to something else.

"There was no hidden agenda, acrimony or recriminations or anything like that." A club statement reiterated that view: "Chris Wright and Ray Wilkins want to assure supporters that this parting was not over money or personalities but for the well being of the club."

In an emotional farewell, Wilkins said: "I've been involved in professional football for over 20 years and I can honestly say that this is the hardest situation I have ever had to deal with. I sincerely wish everyone associated with the club all the very, very best for the future."

Though Wilkins led Rangers to relegation last season and made some poor judgments in the transfer market, the team has started this season well and on Monday night the board and Wilkins even agreed a wanted list of new players.

"Ray left that meeting with a very clear mandate of how to move forward and which players we were going to target, knowing the funds were in place," said Wright. "Then on Tuesday he said he wanted to leave."

The two former Arsenal managers will now be targeted by Wright, the music and television entrepreneur and a life long Rangers supporter who bought the club for over £10 million a month ago.

"We want to get the best possible person," said Wright, who added that an appointment was unlikely by this weekend "or possibly the weekend after".

Wilkins was originally reluctant to become a manager. He played down the thought as he headed for his late 30s and even preferred to move to Crystal Palace as a player in November 1994 when be could have taken a managerial job elsewhere.

As for his future now, he said: "I'll be having some time out with my family before reaching a decision as to where it lies." It could possibly be a coaching job or a return to the television work be loved.