‘Special’ Furlong leaves QPR after 14 years

In May, Furlong led QPR’s U21s to victory in the Premier League Cup, beating Brentford B 3-1 in the final. In July, Anthony Hayes was appointed as QPR’s Methodology Manager, focusing on the 17s to 21s, having previously been U21s coach at Crystal Palace. 

QPR Academy Director Alex Carroll said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Furs for the past 11 years. His presence and professionalism have been invaluable for the Academy, and I am personally indebted to him for the insights shared from his outstanding career in the game.”

CEO Christian Nourry added: “It has been a pleasure to get to know Furs during my time at QPR. I am sure anyone fortunate enough to know him will say the same but I cannot be more complimentary about how he conducts himself.

“He is a special person who has cemented his place in the history of the club for what he achieved, both as a player and as a coach. Premier League Cup success last season was a fantastic achievement and we are all grateful to Furs for the part he played in that.”

Furlong said: “I have had an amazing 14 years at this football club as a coach after what was a very special period as a QPR player. Everyone who knows me knows what this club means to me and how proud I have been to represent it.

“There have been so many special memories to enjoy and savour. From a coaching perspective, being lucky enough to work with my own son meant so much.”

Furlong’s son Darnell – who is now at Ipswich Town – also played for the club after coming through the youth system.

“Watching Darnell come through the system to play for the first team ranks right up there,” Furlong added. “What has given me a lot of joy has been seeing others follow that path too. It is difficult to describe the sense of pride you have when a young boy you have coached walks out at Loftus Road to make his first-team debut.

“In the last 18 months, the club has moved in a new direction which has included making brave and difficult decisions with younger boys whose career aspirations are perhaps better served elsewhere. 

“Those judgements are the toughest to make in football. As a parent who has seen a son progress and another not make the next step, I know the emotions from every angle.”

Meanwhile, Scott Marshall is to return to QPR as U18s Assistant – four-and-a half months after leaving to become First Team Assistant at Reading.  Tom Charles is Head Coach of QPR’s U18s. 

Category Two QPR placed 50th in TGG’s Academy Productivity Rankings for 2024/25 – down from 42nd the previous season.