Arsenal legend back! Iconic figure returns to English football in new coaching role
Former Arsenal assistant manager Steve Bould has officially joined Queens Park Rangers as Head of Defensive Coaching and First-Team Coach, marking his first job in English football since leaving the Gunners in 2021.
Bould, who made 372 appearances for Arsenal and formed part of the club’s iconic backline during the George Graham and Arsene Wenger eras, will now play a pivotal role in shaping QPR’s defensive structure across all levels.
The 62-year-old returns to London after a spell in Belgium with Lommel SK, a second-division side under the City Football Group umbrella, where he served as head coach between 2022 and early 2025.
At QPR, Bould’s remit will stretch beyond the first team. He has been tasked with overseeing defender development across the entire club, from senior professionals to academy prospects.
The club believes his experience and expertise can help produce top-tier defenders in a landscape where such players are increasingly scarce.
Bould will not form part of Julien Stephan’s backroom team but will work closely with the new head coach to support tactical and technical improvements, particularly in defence. Stephan was appointed earlier this week following Marti Cifuentes’ departure.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Bould said he was excited by the project, adding: “QPR is a great football club and always has been. The whole setup feels like a family, and it has a buzz I find really refreshing.”
He downplayed his past as a decorated Arsenal player, saying: “The only respect you get is if you can give players something they can actually use. Most of them do not even know your playing history.”
Bould, who began coaching Arsenal’s youth sides in 2001, won multiple titles with the Under-18s before stepping up as Wenger’s assistant in 2012. He later coached the Under-23s before leaving the club in 2021.
His appointment has been hailed by QPR’s CEO Christian Nourry as a step towards long-term development. “In Steve, we have a world-class coach,” he said. “This is not just about improving our current squad, but about building the next generation of top defenders.”
With a dual focus on immediate first-team improvement and long-term player development, Bould’s return to English football marks a fresh chapter for both him and a QPR side aiming to climb the Championship table.
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