Winless QPR sack Hughes

(CNN) -- Mark Hughes became the second Premier League manager to be sacked within the space of the three days after the Welshman paid the price for Queens Park Rangers' dismal start to the 2012-13 English Premier League season.

Chelsea dismissed Roberto di Matteo on Wednesday, moving quickly to replace the Italian with former LIverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Di Matteo's sacking was something of a surprise given Chelsea, who won the Champions League under the Italian six months ago, are only four points behind leaders Manchester City, but the termination of Hughes' contract was less so given QPR's winless start to the season.

Under Hughes' guidance, QPR have picked up just four points from their first 12 league matches and sit bottom of the English top flight.

Despite only appointing Hughes at Loftus Road in January, QPR owner Tony Fernandes, who also owns AirAsia and the Caterham Formula One team, has decided the former Manchester United striker no longer matches the club's ambitions.

"Queens Park Rangers Football Club has terminated the contract of manager Mark Hughes with immediate effect," read a statement on the club's official website.

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"This decision has been taken after careful consideration by the board of directors, following numerous meetings over the last few days. The board of directors wish to thank Mark for his commitment, hard work and dedication in his 10 months in charge.

"Mark has shown integrity and professionalism throughout his time here, but ultimately the circumstances we find ourselves in have left the board of directors with very little choice but to make a change.

"The board will now be working actively to put a new managerial structure in place as soon as possible."

Reports in the English media have suggested former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp could be in line to replace Hughes.

Former West Ham United and Portsmouth manager Redknapp has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham in June.

Hughes took over from Neil Warnock at QPR, successful helping the club avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League.

But, despite bringing in 10 new players during the preseason transfer window, QPR have lost eight of their first 12 games, drawing the other four.

Indeed QPR have managed just seven Premier League wins since their 1-0 win over Chelsea in October 2011 -- a match that has had severe consequences for both London teams.

In September Chelsea captain John Terry was hit with a four-match ban and a $356,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in that October game.

In July the 31-year-old Terry had been found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Coaches Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki will take charge of theQPR team for Saturday's match with Hughes' former club United.