Former Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton was suspended by QPR after midfielder Akos Buzsaky issued an “either he goes or I go” ultimatum to chairman Flavio Briatore.

The Hoops boss has been stood down over an allegation he headbutted the Hungarian after Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Watford.

However, a dressing-room witness has revealed there was no headbutt and Buzsaky merely took exception to Magilton’s forthright post-match opinion.

“Buzsaky and his agent have basically said ‘either he goes or I go’,” said the source.

“It’s all about player power.

“There was no headbutt, nothing like it.

“Akos was actually sitting down at the time.

“It was exactly the sort of discussion you’d expect after a disappointing defeat.

“Jim bent down to speak to Akos.

“It got a bit heated, forehead to forehead, and (coach) Keith Ryan told Jim to move away.

“Jim did, but then Akos got up and ran out of the dressing room.

“(Assistant boss) John Gorman told him not to be so stupid and to come back inside. But he refused.”

Magilton told reporters after the game that he and the pair had had “a difference of opinion”.

He put his side of the story to Briatore on Tuesday but was then told he had been suspended and not to show up at the club’s training ground.

Gorman, who was Magilton’s assistant at Ipswich, and reserves boss Ryan have walked out in support of the Northern Irishman, who has since said: “I categorically deny any allegation of wrong-doing.”

Magilton is the fifth permanent manager to work under Briatore, in the two years since the Italian took over at Loftus Road.

Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has already been linked with the role while youth coaches Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham have been placed in temporary charge.

Elsewhere, former Ipswich legend Paul Mariner has taken charge of Championship strugglers Plymouth, after they announced a reshuffle of their management team.

As part of the changes, manager Paul Sturrock, currently in his second spell at Home Park, is to take up a business-support role.

Mariner, who started his successful playing career with Argyle in 1973, has been back at the club for the last two months, working as Sturrock’s assistant.

Ironically, his first game back there was Ipswich’s visit towards the end of October.

That match ended 1-1, with Jon Stead on target for Town.