McClaren joins QPR backroom staff

Former England manager Steve McClaren has joined Championship side QPR as a coach.

As well as England, McClaren also lists Middlesbrough, Twente, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest among his former clubs and he retains an interest in returning to management.

McClaren won the Eredivisie title with Twente, as well as the League Cup with Middlesbrough, who the 52-year-old also led to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted to take up this position offered to me by Harry (Redknapp) and QPR.

“Whilst it still remains my ambition to manage again this gives me an ideal opportunity to stay involved and work on the field with one of the top managers in this country and a very ambitious club.

“Rest assured, I’ll be doing all I can for Harry, the club and the fans to help QPR return to the Premier League.”

QPR lost their Premier League status last season after finishing bottom of the table and Redknapp believes McClaren will bring a new approach as he looks to bring top-flight football back to Loftus Road.

Redknapp said: “I am delighted to have been able to bring Steve in.

“Everyone in the game knows what a top coach he is and he’ll add something different to the group, regardless of how long he is with us for.

“This is a very important season for us and I wanted to look at freshening up the whole place, not just the playing side.

“I want new ideas, different opinions and another experienced head to speak to. That’s what Steve brings. Along with Kevin (Bond) and Joe (Jordan) I’ve got a brilliant backroom team and their input is going to be so important for me this season. Steve adds to the excellent staff I already have here.”