Fortune started this season as assistant coach at promoted Spanish LaLiga side Real Oviedo, before being axed along with head coach Veljko Paunović, whom he followed to the Serbia national team for a brief two-game spell in November.
He has now taken up a role with Right to Dream, helping to bring through the next wave of talent from their academies in Ghana, Denmark, Egypt and the United States.
The best players from those academies are sent to the International Academy in Denmark’s elite Under-18 squad, which is seen as a stepping stone into professional football.
Players who have come through the Right to Dream academies include Tottenham Hotspur winger Mohammed Kudus, Sunderland winger Simon Adingra and Atalanta wide player Kamaldeen Sulemana.
More than 100 graduates are currently playing professional football, while over 100 others have earned scholarships to leading schools and universities in the US and UK.
Fortune’s connection with Right to Dream began more than a year ago during a visit to Denmark, where he spent time at professional side FC Nordsjælland, part of the Right to Dream group.
“I visited FC Nordsjælland in Denmark 18 months ago, and the people and the humility I met there, I have never seen anything like it. They were so open, sharing knowledge and principles. It’s not normal in football, and it was amazing to experience,” Fortune, 48, said.
“I loved everything about the environment, and I knew I’d like to work with Right to Dream, and their clubs and academies, one day when the time was right. That time is now, and I feel amazing to be joining such an organisation.
“I am still a young coach, and my dream is to be a manager in the future, but the environment at Right to Dream is perfect for me now.”
Fortune himself left his Cape Town home for Tottenham Hotspur as a young teenager, so understands the difficulties that can arise for players moving to another country alone.
“I myself was one kid in a million when someone saw my talent as a young boy in Cape Town and made it possible for me to chase my dream as a footballer,” he said. “We never had a programme like Right to Dream to give us that opportunity, and I can’t wait to be part of it myself and give something back to those young, talented players.
“I’ve been in their shoes and can relate to them. I left my country and my family as a boy, and I know what they go through and how their dreams can drive them towards their goals if they get the proper guidance and help.”
Fortune would later go on to represent South Africa at two World Cups, and play for Atlético Madrid and Manchester United, among others.
“I’m coming to give my experience and knowledge to the kids, but also to learn myself as a coach,” he said. “The opportunity to work with some of the best young players in the world and learn from some of the best coaches and leaders is an amazing opportunity for me.”
Right to Dream Head of Football Mads Davidsen said they were delighted to have Fortune on board.
“We are very happy to have Quinton joining us. We got to know him when he visited us more than a year ago, and since then we knew that Quinton would be a good fit for us with his experience, values and personality,” he said.
“We believe he is not just a good coach with a bright future in coaching, but also a strong character with a big heart. His experience in football and life will be a massive help and asset for our young players at Right to Dream as they work to reach their dreams and potential.”