By Ben Kosky FORMER QPR star David Bardsley has told the Times he wants to return to Loftus Road as manager. Bardsley has been happily settled with his family in Florida for the last six years, working as director of the Orlando FC youth academy – but say

By Ben Kosky

FORMER QPR star David Bardsley has told the Times he wants to return to Loftus Road as manager.

Bardsley has been happily settled with his family in Florida for the last six years, working as director of the Orlando FC youth academy - but says he would give it all up for the chance to manage his old club.

"This is a great place to live and work and only the QPR job could bring me back to England," admitted the 45-year-old. "If I got a chance to go back there, I'd be on my knees tomorrow.

"My wife and three children wouldn't be able to come with me because of their commitments in America, but I would seriously love to talk to QPR about working there.

"I have a huge tie to the club and the fans and I want to see QPR back where they belong. I've kept my eye on what's been going on there for a number of years and it's something I have a real passion for.

"When I played at QPR there were no big time Charlies, no messing around. How the manager wanted it was how it had to be and that went back to Don Howe's time, then Gerry Francis.

"You've got to have a nucleus of players who know what playing for that club is all about - and that's what has been missing for years. It kills me to see it, but I believe it's still possible to get back to those days."

Bardsley was the regular right-back in the Rangers side that consistently finished in the top half of the Premier League and made more than 250 appearances during nine years at Loftus Road.

He returned to his first club, Blackpool, to finish his playing career and, when the management opening that had been mooted did not materialise there, began working for the Ajax Academy programme in the USA.

Once that ended, the former England international established Orlando FC with the objective of helping both American and overseas youngsters progress to college and club level.

The club have been officially linked to QPR's youth set-up for the past four years and play in official Rangers colours at prestigious tournaments such as the Dallas Cup, run by ex-Rs boss Gordon Jago.

And Bardsley, who holds an extraordinary ability visa for football = an extremely rare accolade in the USA - refutes any suggestion that the content of his coaching CV might be insufficient to make him a genuine candidate as QPR boss.

"Some of the managers they've had recently at QPR had never worked in England before - and what about Roberto Mancini at Manchester City?" he added.

"It isn't about experience - a lot of people come in and get top level jobs and get the sack after six months. I've seen players and managers getting on and off the bandwagon and they've got no ties to any special club. "There's a misconception about what's required in the States. I've coached at a high standard for several years and, believe me, the passion, tempo and training that goes on here is at a different level.