Gardiner joins McClaren’s backroom staff at QPR

Matt Gardiner has joined Steve McClaren’s backroom staff at QPR as assistant coach.

The 44-year-old was head of coaching at Kidderminster, where he worked under John Eustace, who recently resigned as manager of the National League North club to become McClaren’s assistant at Loftus Road.

Gardiner played for several non-League clubs, including Worcester City, where he spent six years as assistant manager before joining Eustace at Kidderminster in 2016.

His arrival follows confirmation of the departure of Marc Bircham, who was first-team coach under Ian Holloway.

McClaren, who recently replaced Holloway as manager, had made it clear he wanted to bring in his own coaching team.