QPR reject Charlie Austin for job and his reaction says it all | OneFootball

Charlie Austin has been rejected from a role working back at QPR in the academy as a coach

QPR are looking to mount an outside push towards the top eight this season, contesting for promotion for the first time since winning the play-offs back in the 2013/14 campaign.

Their talisman that season was Charlie Austin, who signed for the Loftus Road-based side following a 24-goal campaign at Burnley the year before. He netted 20 times in 37 games in all competitions, including both in the play-off semi-final second-leg win against Wigan Athletic.

And despite the Hoops suffering immediate relegation the following year, finishing bottom under Harry Redknapp and then Chris Ramsey, Austin finished fourth in the top scorers' ranks, scoring 18 in 35 Premier League games, more than the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard.

He was a fan favourite at Loftus Road, and returned for a second spell towards the end of his professional career in 2021, spending a further 18 months at QPR as he entered his 30s. Unfortunately, his bid to return in a different capacity for a third time has fallen short.

Charlie Austin "gutted" after QPR reject him for academy coaching role

Action Images

Austin is still currently playing, and has spent the last two years following his departure from Swindon Town in various non-league sides, returning to the semi-professional game where his career started in the mid-2000s.

Right now, he plays for Hungerford Town, but at 37, he has eyes on progressing his career outside of playing and into coaching, which he's evidently been training for during his time as a semi-pro.

However, Austin has revealed that his attempts to return to QPR as an academy coach ultimately haven't come to fruition, as he expressed his disappointment online at what he states to be his first-ever job interview disappointment.

"First job interview disappointment 😅," he posted to X.

"Gutted not to progress to the next stage for @QPRAcademy coaching team. The club I really wanted to work with. Will keep working hard and hoping my time will come. Good luck to whoever lands the role; what a club you get to join!"

Action Images

Austin is a modern-day club legend at QPR, and the love between both the player and the fans is very much mutual.

Some Hoops supporters even went as far as to claim that their former frontman "shouldn't have even had to interview," and that he "automatically deserves to work for our club."

Others have taken the tweet as an excuse to "get a reaction," believing he expected to get the job due to his history with the club, to which Austin responded, "No hidden agenda, just honest disappointment at missing out on a role at a club I think highly of.

"Nothing but respect to QPR; the process was fair and professional, and everyone was great. As I said, I will keep working hard for my time to come!"

Comedian and lifelong R's fan, Seann Walsh, offered his support, tweeting, "You’ll be back, mate. Destiny x."

Charlie Austin will have to wait for the third act of his QPR career

Action Images

Evidently, Austin has a lot of love for QPR due to the good times he's spent at Loftus Road throughout his playing career. He arguably played his best football there, which helps, but the hospitality and respect he received from those behind the scenes have stuck with him, too.

But with the Hoops looking to progress further as a club and return to the days they shared with the 37-year-old leading their line, they've decided that there are better-suited candidates right now for the academy role.

Austin admitted to another person who replied to his tweet that a "name can only get you so far," and that he's spent the last three years getting his C and B coaching licenses while coaching youth teams.

But the frontman won't stop working hard to reach where he wants to be in the future, and seemingly, if another coaching role at Loftus Road came available, he'd be keen to try and take it on and make an impact at QPR off the field, just like he has done on it.