QPR confirm Glenn Hoddle`s role

London: Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has joined Queens Park Rangers` backroom staff, the Premier League club announced Tuesday.

Hoddle will work under QPR boss Harry Redknapp, a fellow former manager of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in what will be his first coaching position at a club since he stepped down as Wolves manager in 2006. Now he will work alongside Redknapp`s long-serving coaching team of Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan. "After winning promotion last season, the first aim at QPR is to stay in the Premier League and I`m looking forward to helping play my part as we try to achieve that," Hoddle said. The 56-year-old former England midfielder, regarded as one of the most talented British footballers of his generation, had been seeking a return to an active role within the English game. Last season he was linked with a second spell in charge of Tottenham after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked, only for Tim Sherwood to get the job instead. Sherwood has since been told he is no longer wanted and this coming season will see former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino taking the reins at White Hart Lane. Hoddle has maintained a high-profile role as a television pundit, while in 2008 he opened an academy in Spain designed to improve the skills of players released by English clubs but looking to revive their careers in football. "I`m really pleased to take up Harry`s offer to come in and work with him, Kevin and Joe," Hoddle said. "I have always loved coaching, and I can`t wait to meet the players, get on the training pitch and get to work." Hoddle took England to the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup in France, where they were beaten on penalties by Argentina, but lost his position the following January after making comments deemed to be offensive to disabled people. He subsequently had spells in charge of Southampton, Tottenham and Wolves and Redknapp believes he will be a "top class" addition to his staff at Loftus Road. "I`m really pleased to bring Glenn in," Redknapp said. "I have been really lucky in the last couple of years to have had Steve Cotterill, Steve McClaren and Wally Downes work with us. They all did a fantastic job here. "I spoke with the chairman about the possibility of bringing Glenn in and he thought it was a great idea. "Glenn will be great. He has a brilliant knowledge of the game and will be fantastic out on the training ground with the players. "He is a hugely-respected coach and, like Steve, has managed his country. "I decided that if I was going to bring somebody in, I was going to go for somebody who was top class and that`s what Glenn is."