MARC Bircham has left his role as QPR first team coach.

Bircham, who worked under former manager Ian Holloway, parted company with the club today.

A lifelong fan and former player, Bircham told www.qpr.co.uk: “I really enjoyed working with Ollie and being part of the first-team coaching staff. It was a real honour and meant everything to me.

“I firmly believe we have left the club in a better position than we found it, so I’m proud of what we achieved.

“Steve McClaren has come in and wants to bring his own people in, which is absolutely the right thing for a manager to do. I genuinely wish him and his staff well for the future.

“The club offered me a role to stay. They wanted me to work between the academy and first team to help bring the younger players through. I’m grateful to them for that. It shows they recognise the work I have done but it was more academy-based and I see my future at first-team level.

“I have worked in football constantly since I was 16 so I am going to take a few months out now and see what my options are.

“One thing I will certainly be doing is going to Loftus Road and cheering the R’s on with my family.

“I’d like to thank the fans for their support throughout my time at the club – as a player and as a coach.

“This isn’t the end of the love affair for me. I have been a fan all my life and spent more than a decade of my career as player or coach with the R’s. QPR will always be my club and who knows what the future holds – maybe I’ll be back again one day!”

Director of Football Les Ferdinand added: “Marc is QPR through and through, and he was instrumental in helping bring the young lads into the first-team.

“He gave them an understanding of what it meant to be fortunate enough to be playing for QPR.

“Win or lose last season, the players wore the shirt with pride and passion. Marc and Ollie deserve credit for that. “We wish them both well. They will always be welcome back to Loftus Road.”