Julien Stéphan has been appointed QPR manager.placeholder image
Julien Stéphan has been appointed QPR manager. | AFP via Getty Images
Julien Stéphan has spoken to the club having been appointed as head coach following the departure of Marti Cifuentes.
QPR head coach Julien Stéphan has given his first interview to the club, laying out why he has chosen to take on the challenge at Loftus Road and reflecting on his career so far.
The 44-year-old takes over from Marti Cifuentes, who has left the club by mutual consent following an extended period of gardening leave. Cifuentes was temporarily removed from his post prior to the final match of last season and will not return to the position.
Several candidates had been linked with the QPR role but it is former Rennes man Stéphan who has been appointed. The manager was sacked by the Ligue 1 outfit in November 2024 having lost five of the team’s opening 10 league fixtures. Stéphan had spent one year in that post, which was his second stint following a stay between 2018 and 2021.
Julien Stéphan gives first QPR interview
Rennes missed European qualification for the first time in seven years following the 2023/24 season, finishing the division in 10th. Between his spells at Rennes, Stéphan spent a year and a half with Strasbourg, where he secured a first top six finish for the club since 1980.
The Frenchman has managed in the Champions League and Europa League. Stéphan has built a reputation for working with youth having helped Ousmane Dembele, Jeremy Doku, Eduardo Camavinga and more.
Asked about that, he told QPR: “I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with very talented players and young players, like Ousmane Demebele, Eduardo Camavinga, Habib Diarra at Strasbourg, Jeremy Doku and Desire Doue also. I think the most important is to trust in them, guide them and help them grow step by step.
“Each player is different. The most important is to understand their personality, their strength and what motivates them. I try to build a strong relationship with them and create the condition to put them in the right environment to develop.”
Stéphan lays out plans after arriving at Loftus Road
Those words will be music to the ears of younger members of the QPR squad such as Kieran Morgan, Rayan Kolli and Alfie Lloyd, all who broke through under the stewardship of Cifuentes. Stéphan also gave his verdict on the squad he inherits.
He said: “I see a group with talent, commitment and potential. I think, for sure, there is work to do. I think we have a great potential in the squad and there is a strong foundation to develop. I’m very excited to work with these players.
“I think it’s important to build a clear identity with a strong team spirit. Of course, we want to be competitive in every game and to progress step by step, we will be ambitious but also humble. In the Championship you have to be humble, especially when you come from abroad.”
In other news, Crystal Palace eye Chelsea transfer in blow to QPR and Championship rivals.
Continue Reading