• Premier League

Redknapp braced to lose Ryan Nelsen to MLS

ESPN staff
January 5, 2013
Ryan Nelsen has been key for QPR © PA Photos
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Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has revealed Ryan Nelsen could leave the club in the middle of their relegation battle to take up a coaching role in Major League Soccer.

There has been heavy speculation in the last week that DC United - for whom Nelsen used to play - and Toronto FC want to secure the services of the centre-back, with the New Zealand international known to be keen to begin his coaching career.

Although the Washington club denied the link, the interest from the Canadian side is understood to be concrete, with Redknapp confirming after QPR's 1-1 FA Cup draw with West Brom that the speculation was correct and Nelsen has been offered a job.

"There is some truth in the rumour I'm afraid," Redknapp said. "Ryan Nelsen is very important for us, a good leader but he's been offered a job in America and there's every chance he wants to go. He wants to be a manager and it gives him a chance.

"He's one of the best pros I've ever met in my life. A great trainer, leader, a massive part of the team. To lose him would be a massive blow."

That would be particularly true given that QPR appear to lack players of Nelsen's character in the midst of a relegation battle, but Redknapp also revealed the club want to bring in at least two players in the transfer window and are working hard to do so.

"We've got to keep pushing forward and keep improving," he said. "We have to have a little go in the transfer market, if we can find one or two, that'll be the difference for us I think."

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