Gallen sympathises with Austin over QPR exit

Kevin Gallen says he understands why Charlie Austin is disappointed with the manner of his recent departure from QPR.

Austin’s second spell at the club ended when Rangers decided not to offer him a new contract.

The striker subsequently revealed he had been informed of the decision by chief executive Lee Hoos and director of football Les Ferdinand – and that he was asked if he planned to retire.

Speaking on the West London Sport QPR podcast, former R’s forward Gallen said there was “no good way” to tell a player he is being released and that it was “quite sensible” to part with the likes of Austin, Lee Wallace and Dom Ball.

But he added: “If I were Charlie Austin, what really would have annoyed me is the question ‘Are you going to retire?’, which I don’t think needed to be said.

“To ask him if he’s going to retire, that ain’t great. There’s no need for that.”