Former England manager Steve McClaren is ready to add some experience to QPR’s youthful squad, as he takes the reins at Loftus Road.

The 57-year-old was appointed after former boss Ian Holloway steered Rangers to 16th, but McClaren has had an affinity for the Rs for many years.

After a coaching spell at the club back in 2013, when Harry Redknapp was in charge, McClaren has kept a close eye on events, and jumped at the prospect of a managerial role.

“I’m excited by the squad – that was the attraction for me,” admitted McClaren, who managed England between August 2006 and November 2007.

“I’ve missed coaching and building teams. I believe the squad is very good – it’s young, it’s energetic, it’s enthusiastic and it’s got attitude.

“A lot of young players were thrown in last season and handled it well. Initially it’s what you’d call a coaching job here, in developing players and building a team to win football matches.

“To move forward, you need experience around that youth, which is something we’ll look at. The most important thing is bringing the right players in.

“After 18th and 16th finishes, we’re looking to add experience and if we can do that, we can progress.

“For now, all I’m thinking of is getting everything in order, having a good pre-season and winning that first game.”

This marks McClaren’s first managerial role since his second spell at the helm of Derby County ended in March 2017.

He has signed a two-year deal, and while he admitted on Monday that he would be adding to his backroom team as well as the one on the pitch, he denied any targets had been tabled.

But, he will have to address the gaping hole left by the departure of captain Nedum Onuoha, who left the club when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Other departures include defender James Perch and strikers Jamie Mackie and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, paving the way for the new manager to make his mark in West London.