Marc Bircham joins Millwall coaching staff from QPR

Millwall have appointed Queens Park Rangers development squad coach Marc Bircham as their new first-team coach.

The 35-year-old started his playing career with the Lions and made 121 appearances for the Championship club before joining QPR in 2002.

He spent five years at Loftus Road, four of them under current Millwall boss Ian Holloway, and ended his career at Yeovil in 2009.

Bircham joined QPR's coaching staff the same year as youth team coach.

"I had a great job at QPR and there are only two reasons why I would give that up; Millwall and Ian Holloway," Bircham told the Millwall website.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me and a very exciting time for the club.

"There's a lot of hard work to be done, but Ollie is a great manager and I just couldn't turn down the chance to work with him again."

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace Under-18 coach Des Bulpin has also joined Holloway's backroom staff at The Den.

The 62-year-old Scot has worked with Holloway, who joined Millwall last week on a two-and-a-half-year deal, at QPR, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester and Palace.