Ex-England boss McClaren joins QPR

Former England manager Steve McClaren has joined Queens Park Rangers as a member of Harry Redknapp's backroom staff, the Championship club announced Tuesday. McClaren has been out of football since his second spell as manager of Dutch club FC Twente ended in February. But now McClaren, who came to prominence as an assistant to recently retired Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, will try to help Redknapp guide the west London club back to the Premier League at the first attempt following their relegation last season. Although he has also managed Middlesbrough, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest, the 52-year-old McClaren remains best remembered in England for his unsuccessful spell in charge of the national side, which culminated in England's failure to qualify for the 2008 European Championships. He had recently been linked with the England Under-21 post following the Football Association's decision not to offer a new contract to Stuart Pearce but instead finds himself heading to Loftus Road. Redknapp, a man whom many within the game felt should have had a stint as England manager, was excited to have McClaren on board. "I am delighted to have been able to bring Steve in," Redknapp said in a QPR statement. "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." McClaren insisted this appointment meant he had not given up on the idea of managing a club again. "I'm delighted to take up this position offered to me by Harry 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." Source: AFP