please log in to view this image QPR defender Ryan Nelsen has been appointed head coach at Major League Soccer club Toronto FC but has not yet left the west London club. The 35-year-old defender has been one of the few players to shine for the west Londoners this season, having joined in June following spells at Blackburn and Tottenham. Nelsen has made 21 appearances in all competitions for QPR but has requested to enter dialogue with manager Harry Redknapp to discuss when he will join his new club. In the meantime, QPR have announced Nelsen will be available for this weekend's Premier League fixture against Tottenham. Nelsen knows he owes a debt of gratitude to Redknapp, chairman Tony Fernandes and the club so does not want to cause unnecessary disruption. "I am under contract at QPR," he said, speaking at a press conference in Canada. "Harry Redknapp and Tony Fernandes, the owner of QPR, are fantastic people. They are such nice people. "I've got some obligations at QPR that we have just got to go through. "It has been a bit of whirlwind so there are some details we have to go through." Nelsen's playing contract at QPR runs until June 30, but the defender admits his body is struggling to cope with the demands brought by top-flight football. "I've had several conversations with Harry and Tony Fernandes," the New Zealander said. "They have been so understanding with my situation. "They understand that when I play I am playing on glass knees and glass ankles. It is a bit of a struggle. "They know I am at the end but they also know the predicament they are in. It is a major predicament. "Getting out the English Premier League has major financial implications and there is a lot of pressure from fans, the media and so on, so I have an obligation. "I really want QPR to stay up and to kick on for Harry and because of the owner. They are just fantastic people. "They would like me to keep playing but we have to sit down and talk. If we can get five straight wins, that'd be perfect. "I think then we can shake hands [and part company] but we are just going to have to talk and see how things progress." Nelsen is clear that there will be no playing role for him back in MLS, having made his name there during a four-year spell with DC United - another club he was recently linked to. The move to Canada will see him link up once against with the club's president and general manager Kevin Payne, who was an executive at DC United when Nelsen played there. "From the day Ryan arrived in D.C. as a 23 year old player, I always knew he would be a head coach someday," Payne said. "I believe his leadership qualities, intelligence, preparation and character will contribute to his success as a coach. I couldn't ask for a better person to lead our club." http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/8385877/Nelsen-to-swap-QPR-for-Toronto
Excellent news. Good to hear his comments about the owners and club. Top bloke going about this the right way with communications between all concerned. Makes a change in these days.
I think this is the first Ranger to sign in any capacity here since Danny Dichio. And the fan club members still sing his praises
good news, it looks like he will be here until at least march, possibly longer than that. I hate Toronto, first the leafs and now this.
Officially a legend in my book and those who were bad mouthing him should hang their heads in (mild) shame.
BBC Sport take on the story:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20946699 "They understand that when I play I am playing on glass knees and glass ankles. It is a bit of a struggle." please log in to view this image
Good to hear that he has said those things, and to be honest I didnt expect anything else as he is a genuine guy. But still disappointed that he COULD leave us in this mess. It will mess things up even more!
He has to take the Head Coach job, otherwise come the end of the season he probably won't be able to carry on, then what is left for him. He had a one year contract not so sure he would have had another one. So no brainer for me, we will miss him for sure but what a contrast to Bosingwa, if anyone deserved £65,000 per week then Nelsen did.
I don't begrudge him this chance at all and i'm sure he would have made the same decision no matter where we were in the league. He's given everything he could so far and performed better than most could have hoped for. Gutted that he's going, as it is a huge loss to us. Some of the other posts i've read about how he should be strung up for leaving are very confusing, as i remember lots of posts about players of the likes of Vine sticking out for the length of their contract whilst offering nothing in return. Here we have a player who has given 100% and some are berating him. Who can honestly say that if they were given a great opportunity to secure their future would turn it down instead choose to stay on a contract which expires in a few months? I'd be out of the door straight away!
If we were mathematically relegated then thanks and good luck. QPR has been a shop window for Ryan and there is no shame in that, but most other "pro's" wouldn't even consider this before feathering their own nest before waving cheerio at the earliest. I'm not saying that to look after one own ends is wrong or selfish in all walks of life, it's not, business as we all know is cutthroat, but how many jobs come with 16,000 rangers cheering for you, not many. This latest statement of "obligation" make me believe that least some of the squad has understood the meaning of the term 'Professional' and they should still be loudly supported wherever possible. Kiss me Hardy
One of the few Hughes signing who has played his heart out for the club. Shame if he has to leave before the end of the season but nearing the end of his playing career and so obviously has to think for his future but whenever he goes I am sure that it will be with the best wishes of everyone associated with the club.
Toronto have had more managers than seasons in their entire history so the job should become available yet again after our season ends.
