CURTIS Fleming has left QPR to become a first-team coach at Middlesbrough, a club where he spent more than a decade as a player.

Ian Holloway added Fleming to his coaching staff at Loftus Road 14 months ago.

“I have loved my time here,” Fleming told www.qpr.co.uk.

“The gaffer, the staff and the fans all have so much passion for the club and it reminds me of Middlesbrough in many ways because the place has such a family feel to it.”

Fleming made more than 300 appearances for the Teesiders between 1991 and 2001, but it wasn’t just his professional links to Middlesbrough which has led to his departure from west London.

“I have a young family in the North East so it was very difficult for me to turn this opportunity down,” he said. “My family home is 20 minutes from the ‘Boro training ground.

“I sat down and spoke with Ollie about it, and he was brilliant. He understands my reasons and has been fantastic about it.

“I genuinely wish Ollie, Birch, Les and everyone at the club all the very best for the future.

“I want to thank the gaffer for giving me the opportunity to work here. QPR has a great name in football so for me to have the chance to work here has meant a lot.

“All the staff both at the training ground and the stadium have been fantastic to work with.

“It’s very hard to find that these days, that special feeling which exists here. If the club can build on that, then there is only one place it's heading.”