Charlie Austin reveals what left him “annoyed” in QPR exit talks

QPR striker Charlie Austin has revealed he was left “annoyed” after being asked whether he was going to retire in his exit talks with the Championship club. 

Austin confirmed via social media earlier this week that he would not be signing a new contract at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and therefore was set to leave the club in the summer.

The 33-year-old has scored 61 goals in 148 appearances in total for the R’s, including 14 in 59 games in his second spell at the west London club.

Speaking to talkSPORT yesterday, Austin opened up on how things had played out and revealed that there was one particular moment that had left him frustrated.

“Time is up, unfortunately,” said the experienced forward. “The club, I suppose want to go in a different direction. There wasn’t even a conversation to extend for another year or anything.

“They just thanked me for my services and it’s time to move on.”

Austin added: “I was in the office. Les (Ferdinand) is not very well or something so I was on zoom to him. The CEO was there and asked me about the season, we had a bit of chat which is really pointless considering the conversation went the way it did.

“Then that was it. He just went look we can’t offer you anything, we wish you all the best.

“But what annoyed me a little bit is that they asked me if I was going to retire. I’m 33!”

Asked how he responded to the question, Austin replied: “I kept my cool and composure, I just had a good chuckle to myself and that was that.”

It looks set to be a summer of change at QPR with manager Mark Warburton set to leave while it was confirmed on Friday that Dom Ball, Dillon Barnes, David Marshall, Lee Wallace, and Kieren Westwood would all be departing as well.

The Verdict

Austin is something