Ramsey to continue triple role at QPR

Mark Warburton says Chris Ramsey will remain involved in first-team coaching at QPR.

Ramsey, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to football and diversity in sport, has had a triple role at Loftus Road for some time.

Since a troubled stint as manager, Ramsey has had the position of technical director which he has subsequently combined with the role of head of coaching.

And he has also been part of the first-team coaching set-up since Curtis Fleming left the club in February last year.

New QPR manager Warburton is keen for that to continue.

‘Vital position’

The pair know each other well from their time on the youth coaching scene.

Warburton was involved in youth development prior to breaking into management, while Ramsey managed England’s Under-20 side and coached at Tottenham.

“I know Chris very well and I’m very aware of his expertise and knowledge,” said Warburton.

“You have to have a link between the academy and the first team. You have to make sure there’s a really close link and a clear pathway.

“I see Chris in that position – a really vital position for QPR. He will be working with the first-team players once or twice a week or more, will have a big input at meetings and will be watching games for me.

“You can’t ignore that level of knowledge and expertise. And his passion for the game is evident every single day.”

Neil Banfield, who spent 21 years at Arsenal, has been brought in by Warburton as first-team coach.

Warburton had David Weir as his assistant at Brentford, Glasgow Rangers and Nottingham Forest, but the Scot is now enjoying a role as pathway development manager at Brighton, monitoring the progress of the south-coast club’s players who are out on loan.

Warburton explained: “David Weir has obviously been my assistant a long while now. We get on so well.

“David has a job at Brighton that’s really good for him and his family situation. He’ll do a great job for Brighton and I wish him well, as always.

“But I’ve come across Neil a lot over the years and his passion for youth development.

“People talk about world class and they use the phrase too lightly. But, when you come from that environment, he really does know what world class is in terms of players and player development.

“I want to tap into that knowledge. He’s a coach and wants to get on the grass and work with players every day, utilising the knowledge he’s gained over a long period of time.”