Queens Park Rangers have officially appointed Julien Stéphan as their new head coach, following the departure of Martí Cifuentes. The announcement marks a new chapter for the Championship club as they look to improve upon their recent performances and build a strong foundation for the future. Stéphan, a 44-year-old Frenchman, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Loftus Road, having previously managed Rennes and Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
The appointment comes after QPR formally announced Cifuentes' exit, which had been anticipated for several weeks. Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave in April amid interest from other clubs, paving the way for Stéphan to take over. The Spanish coach, who joined QPR in 2023, guided the team to Championship survival despite a difficult start to the campaign and numerous injuries within the squad.
QPR Chief Executive Christian Nourry expressed his gratitude to Cifuentes for his contributions during his two years at the club, acknowledging the positive impact he had in helping the team remain in the division under challenging circumstances. Cifuentes himself shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing his pride in having been a part of the club and contributing to their continued presence in the Championship.
Stéphan's arrival has been met with excitement and optimism from both the club and the fans. The Frenchman has a strong reputation for developing young players and achieving success with his previous clubs. During his time at Rennes, he led the team to their first Coupe de France title in 48 years in 2019, defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. He also guided Rennes to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2019-20 season, securing their first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
"I feel very proud and excited to join QPR," Stéphan said in a statement on the club's website. "QPR is a historic club with strong values and passionate fans, so I feel honoured. I wanted to come here because I know there's a lot of passion around the club and around the team, and I feel very lucky to discover that. There is something unique about English football. The intensity, the atmosphere, the passion of the fans also, the tempo of the game, the culture around the club all make it a very stimulating environment for a coach."
Nourry highlighted Stéphan's track record of developing young players as a key factor in his appointment. He also noted the historic league success Stéphan achieved at both Rennes and Strasbourg. Stéphan's coaching staff is expected to include Alou Diarra as his assistant and Rudy Cuni as an analyst, both of whom he worked with closely at Rennes.
QPR fans will be hoping that Stéphan can bring a fresh approach and a winning mentality to the team. The club finished 15th in the Championship last season, and the new manager will be tasked with improving their performances and challenging for a higher league position. As QPR prepares for a new era under Julien Stéphan, the fans will be eager to see what the future holds and whether the Frenchman can lead the club to success.
