Marc Bircham has not ruled out a future return to Queens Park Rangers after leaving his role as first-team coach.

Bircham, who was at Rangers as a player from 2002 to 2007, worked under former U’s boss Ian Holloway, who guided the west Londoners to 16th in the Championship last season.

Since then, Holloway has been replaced by former England, Middlesbrough and Derby boss Steve McLaren.

And with McClaren wanting to bring in his own backroom staff, Bircham felt the time was right to move on, despite the club offering him another role.

He will have an immediate break from the game, but his love for all things Hoops will still burn brightly.

“I really enjoyed working with Ollie (Holloway) and being part of the first-team coaching staff. It was a real honour and meant everything to me,” he said.

“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.

“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.

“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!”