Clint Hill admits he networks with the best of them - but refuses to tap Shaun Derry and Neil Warnock just to get a player-coach role with one of the two next term.
All three were thick as thieves from their time at QPR and Crystal Palace. Indeed, it was Warnock, now at Rotherham, who brought the pair to Loftus Road from south London.
Derry has gone on to manage Cambridge, and Hill believes an Rs season where he has been used sparingly has had compensations.
“I speak to Dezza a lot and I talked to him a lot before he got the manager’s job,” Hill explained.
“He and Neil are people I respect highly and hold a high opinion of.
“Shaun is doing a great job at Cambridge at the moment. We will see. I don’t like calling in favours. Just because I know them well doesn’t mean I can get a job with them you know.
"It is the same here with QPR, just because I have played here doesn’t mean I automatically get a coaching role. You have got to be a good coach.”
Although Hill will be 38 in October, he refuses to bring down the curtain on his playing career. He looks set for a recall at Cardiff in some capacity on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring strain, especially as James Perch is ruled out after picking up a thigh injury against Charlton.
“I haven’t done anything this season to the detriment of my body in any way which would affect next season, so I’m confident I can do a job,” Hill explained.
“I think 46 games may be a little out of my reach at that age, but can definitely do a job and fill holes when there are injuries and suspensions. So I will have to see what options are available in the summer.”
