AI predicts the jobs each QPR player would be working if they weren’t footballers | OneFootball

FLW has asked AI to predict what jobs Queens Park Rangers would be working if they weren't footballers

Queens Park Rangers have gone five games undefeated in the Championship since their 7-1 drubbing away to Coventry City, and have slotted themselves into the play-off places as a result.

Having succumbed to a humiliating defeat away to Coventry, QPR manager Julien Stephan faced early pressure to turn results around quickly in West London; otherwise, his position would almost certainly have come under heavy scrutiny.

As it has happened, though, the R's have won three and drawn two of their last five Championship games, in what has been a remarkable turnaround in form.

The squad is seemingly beginning to gel together, and has looked good value for their current place in the table.

Each player has their own story of how they got to where they are today, and it got Football League World thinking, what jobs would these players be doing right now if they weren't professional footballers?

FLW asked AI chatbot ChatGPT to predict what each QPR player would be doing as a job if they weren't footballers, and it has certainly thrown up a few surprises in there.

Paul Nardi - A goalkeeping coach or perhaps athletic trainer; with his experience, he might also be a driving instructor (steering people, keeping them safe!).

Paul Nardi has certified himself as QPR's number one goalkeeper since the start of last season, yet his career might have been very different if he had chosen to steer wheels as a driving instructor instead of football away from his goal.

Joe Walsh had initially started the first three games of the 2025/26 season, but Nardi decided he didn't want to become a driving instructor anytime soon and has since regained his place between the sticks in West London.

Joe Walsh - Maybe a youth sports development officer or PE teacher

ChatGPT thinks QPR backup keeper Joe Walsh would remain sporty if he weren't a professional footballer, likely going down the route of a youth sports development officer or a PE teacher for the next generation.

Having started the season as the R's number one, Walsh has since lost his place in goal after he broke his wrist, meaning he wouldn't even be able to be a PE teacher until he recovers.

Ben Hamer - Given his age, possibly a scout, analyst, or even working in punditry/media covering goalkeepers

Ben Hamer has endured a long career within the EFL, playing for the likes of Reading, Brentford, Charlton, Leicester City, Bristol City, Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Watford, and is now third-choice at QPR.

An experienced head, AI thinks Hamer would remain in football, either as a scout or TV pundit, and we would intend to agree with the,.

Jake Clarke-Salter - Civil engineer (strong, reliable, good in defence)

Jake Clarke-Salter spent 14 years contracted to Chelsea, heading out on loan to the likes of Bristol Rovers, Sunderland, Vitesse, Birmingham City and Coventry City before joining QPR on a free transfer in 2022.

The defender would make for a good civil engineer, AI belives, being a strong and capable figure in the heart of defence for whoever he has played for, and would be able to transfer those skills into a different line of work.

Amadou Salif Mbengue - Community outreach worker or mentor for youth

Amadou Mbengue left his native France in 2022 to join Reading on a free transfer, and would feature regularly for the Royals in both the third and second tier, before joining QPR this summer upon the expiration of his Reading contract.

AI believes the aggressive defender would make a good community outreach worker or mentor for youth, given he has forged a career for himself in a different country despite his young age.

Liam Morrison - Wildlife conservationist, possibly working to protect young species, because young and keen.

Scottish defender Liam Morrison switched from Glasgow to Munich in August 2019, leaving Celtic to join Bayern Munich, but failed to make a first-team appearance during his five years in Bavaria, joining QPR permanently last summer.

Now 22, AI believes the young and keen Scot could have been a wildlife conservationist, working to protect young species if he wasn't a professional footballer.

Steve Cook - Firefighter — dependable, strong, used to pressure.

Steve Cook has been around for what feels like centuries, with the 34-year-old having racked up over 200 appearances in the Championship and just shy of that same tally in the Premier League, playing for clubs such as Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and now QPR.

Having ample experience and trusted by almost every manager he has ever played under, the reliable Cook would make for a good firefighter, AI thinks.

Esquerdinha - Street artist or mural painter, creative role

Brazilian full-back Esquerdinha has only made a handful of appearances for the club since his move from Fluminense in 2025, having only made his competitive debut for the R's this season.

Having grown up in Rio de Janeiro, AI believes a street artist or a mural painter could have been the 19-year-old's calling if professional football wasn't an option for him.

Rhys Norrington‑Davies - Travel blogger or outdoor adventure guide

Welsh international Rhys Norrington-Davies joined QPR on loan this summer from Sheffield United, having struggled to nail down a place in the Blades side over the past few years.

The adventurous full-back would make for a good travel blogger or outdoor adventure guide if he weren't covering ground on a football pitch.

Jimmy Dunne - Logistics manager, moving things fast and efficiently

Jimmy Dunne has endeared himself to R's fans since his move from Burnley in the summer of 2021, becoming club captain and signing a new deal with the club this summer instead of departing on a free transfer.

AI therefore believes a logistics manager could have been a suitable career path for Dunne, who can move things fast and efficiently while leading a group of people.