Mark Warburton, one of the contenders for the QPR manager’s job, reportedly wants to bring in Neil Banfield as his assistant if he takes over at Loftus Road.
Banfield isn’t a name that will be known to too many Rangers fans, but the 57-year-old East Londoner is well regarded, having spent 21 years on the coaching staff at Arsenal.
He left the north London club following the departure of Arsene Wenger last year and subsequently took on a scouting role for Glasgow Rangers.
Aussie stint
Banfield was an England schoolboy international and began his playing career at Crystal Palace before a two-year spell in Australia playing for Adelaide City. He returned to London in 1983, joining Leyton Orient, where he spent just one full season.
Coaching career
Since the end of his playing days, Banfield has established himself as a coach to be reckoned with. After five years working at Charlton, he was hired by Arsenal and spent 15 years as a youth coach before being handed a role with the first team by Wenger in 2012 along with former Gunners defender Steve Bould.
Banfield also spent just over a year as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side, working under QPR legend Don Givens.