Bardsley declares interest in QPR role

Former QPR star David Bardsley has declared his interest in succeeding Marc Bircham at the club.

Bircham this week left the position of development-squad coach to link up with former Rangers man Ian Holloway at Millwall.

Under-18s boss Steve Gallen has replaced him on an interim basis while the club consider their longer-term options.

And Bardsley, who now lives in Florida where he runs his own academy for young players, says he would relocate back to the UK if offered a role at Loftus Road.

He said: “I’d be interested, definitely. QPR is my passion and I’ve always said the only reason I’d move back to England would be for them.

“I’ve been working for many years in Florida now, coaching kids and trying to spread the name of QPR using my own programme.

“If the chance came to go back there and do the same but at the club itself, of course I’d want to.

“It would follow on from what I’ve been doing here. Anything you do in life you should believe in and feel passionate about.

“I’m certainly passionate about the club and am QPR through and through, as are my kids. It would be more than a job to me.”

Bardsley, now 49, made more than 300 appearances for QPR during a nine-year spell in which he won two England caps.

Orlando FC QPR Academy USA was set up by him in 2006. It has no formal ties to his ex-club but is inspired by it – players at all levels of the academy wear Rangers kits.

“I’ve been looking at a few MLS opportunities over here but if Rangers called, I’d be there,” Bardsley added.

“I’ve still got an agent in England and I think they’ll make contact with the club and see what the situation is. I don’t know what their plans are.

“Marc Bircham has done a great job and with the ambitions of the owners it’ll be a good opportunity for someone, that’s for sure.”

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook