QPR: Steve Cook exit twist emerges | OneFootball

Steve Cook has been offered a coaching role at QPR upon finishing his playing days with the club this summer

Steve Cook is set to make his final appearance for Queens Park Rangers against Swansea City on Tuesday, but has been offered the option to extend his time at the club in a surprise twist.

English defender Steve Cook, who turned 35 less than a week ago, is set to play his final game for QPR on Tuesday evening against Swansea, after it was announced by the club that he would not be offered fresh terms beyond his current deal, which is set to expire this summer.

The club stated their reasoning for the decision not to include Cook in the final two games of the season as "looking to the future", with the former Bournemouth defender set to say goodbye to QPR fans once and for all. Or so they may have thought.

A shock twist of events has come to light, which could see Cook remain in West London after all, with the club offering him a chance to extend his time at Loftus Road via a different avenue than on the pitch.

Steve Cook has been offered a youth coaching role to stay at QPR, with his contract set to expire

With Cook's time on the pitch at Loftus Road set to come to an end, his time at the club may not.

It has been reported by West London Sport that QPR have offered Cook the chance to stay at the club beyond this summer in a coaching role with the Under-21's.

Cook has reportedly already shown his ambition to go into coaching once his playing days are over, and at 35, he now has the chance to make the decision to pursue a career from the touchlines.

The Englishman has yet to decide on the offer, as there remains the chance that he would like to prolong his playing career instead of heading into coaching now.

It was further reported by West London Sport that 'an agreement in principle is in place for him to take the QPR coaching position if he does not extend his playing career', with Cook set to decide upon his future in the coming weeks.

Having initially joined the R's on a two-year deal from Nottingham Forest, Cook displayed his professionalism both on and off the pitch to become a valued member of the squad, and has amassed 99 appearances for the club across all competitions in those three years, with his 100th set to be his last against Swansea.

He is clearly still valued at the club, hence the opportunity of joining the Under-21's in a coaching role, and could well begin his journey into management in the coming months if he does indeed decide to hang up the boots for good.

Julien Stephan has recognised Steve Cook's value to QPR by offering him a coaching role

French boss Julien Stephan has only had the opportunity to work with Cook for one year since replacing Marti Cifuentes in the Loftus Road dugout in the summer, but has formally recognised the defender's value to the club by offering him the chance to begin his coaching journey with the R's

Cook will likely have ambitions to go far in his coaching journey, but is set to earn his stripes at a lower level first before moving into a senior role.

With over 500 professional appearances across all competitions for the likes of Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town, Brighton and QPR, few can match his experience in the game, and something which can only serve him well as his coaching career beckons.

Whether he does take QPR up on the offer remains to be seen, but he will certainly make his last appearance for the club on Tuesday against Swansea, where he will have the chance to applaud the home fans at Loftus Road for their support on his journey.