Former England coach Steve McClaren has been appointed to Harry Redknapp's backroom staff at Queen's Park Rangers, the club confirmed today.
McClaren, who has also managed Middlesbrough, FC Twente, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest, has been out of the game since his second spell with Twente ended in February.
He has recently been linked with the England Under-21 post following the Football Association's decision not to offer a new contract to Stuart Pearce.
But now he will form part of Redknapp's backroom team as QPR try to secure immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.
Singing from the same hymn sheet? McClaren and Redknapp in 2005
Redknapp, who already has a vastly experienced coaching set-up that includes the likes of Kevin Bond, Joe Jordan and Steve Cotterill, will be hoping McClaren can add something different to the group and was pleased to recruit the 52-year-old.
"I am delighted to have been able to bring Steve in," he said.
"Everyone in the game knows what a top coach he is and he'll add something different to the group, regardless of how long he is with us for.
"I want new ideas, different opinions and another experienced head to speak to. That's what Steve brings."
Many may view the move as a surprise given McClaren's managerial experience but a return to coaching is something he is relishing.
"I'm delighted to take up this position offered to me by Harry and QPR," he said.
"Whilst it still remains my ambition to manage again this gives me an ideal opportunity to stay involved and work on the field with one of the top managers in this country and a very ambitious club.
"Rest assured, I'll be doing all I can for Harry, the club and the fans to help QPR return to the Premier League."
McClaren had enjoyed a rising reputation in the game after a successful spell as assistant manager under Sir Alex Ferguson led to him being appointed as Middlesbrough boss.
He took the club to League Cup success and a UEFA Cup final before an ill-fated spell as England manager ended acrimoniously after a 3-2 defeat to Croatia saw England miss out on a spot at Euro 2008.
Wally with the brolly: Losing to Croatia in 2007
With that disappointment fresh in his mind McClaren ventured abroad and rebuilt his career by delivering the Eredivisie title to Twente.
He left for Wolfsburg but was largely unsuccessful, as was the case during a short stint at Forest, before he moved back to Twente.
He could not replicate his earlier successes with the Enschede club, however, and resigned earlier this year.