Stephan appointed QPR head coach

Julien Stephan has been named as the team’s new head coach by the Queens Park Rangers.

Marti Cifuentes, 44, has taken over the club after being placed on gardening leave in April and formally leaving on Tuesday night.

Stephan led Rennes, his hometown club, for two spells, winning the French Cup in 2019, his first trophy in 48 years.

He spent 18 months at Strasbourg, where he was sacked in 2023, before moving back to Rennes, where he had previously worked. He left last November, after a rough start.

He told the club, “I’m very proud and excited to join QPR.”

I feel honored because QPR is a legendary club with strong values and devoted fans.

I was interested because I was aware of the high level of passion for the club and the team, and I consider that to be true.

English football has a distinctive quality. The club’s atmosphere, pace, the fans’ tempo, the atmosphere, and the culture surrounding it all contribute to a very stimulating environment for a coach.

With his professional career beginning at Bordeaux, Stephan started out as a defensive midfielder and center-back.

He also played for the B team of Paris St-Germain, RC Paris, Stade Briochin, and FC Drouais, retiring in 2007.

Before joining Chateauroux and Lorient’s under-19s team, he served as a youth coach at Drouais.

He then relocated to Rennes, where he was born, and began his coaching career there before taking the position of head coach in 2018.

Before quitting his position at RC Strasbourg, a fellow Ligue 1 team, in 2021, he took his next job.

At Strasbourg, Stephan managed 58 games during a 58-game winning streak until January 2023.

But he returned to Rennes in November that year as the club’s head coach before moving to QPR.

Working with some of the world’s brightest and most exciting young players, Stephan has established a positive reputation in France.

Raphinha, Raphael, Camavinga, Real Madrid, and Jeremy Doku, a former Manchester City player, all benefit from his coaching.

Stephan, who is now in the second tier of England, stated to the club that he has high expectations and standards for his players.

He said, “The main values are commitment, discipline, and teamwork.”

“I expect my players to put in the right attitude and show the right attitude on the field for the team, for the fans, and for the team.”

The shirt is not subject to negotiation, and it deserves complete respect.

A group with talent, commitment, and potential strikes me. I believe there is always more improvement to be done, but I believe the squad has great potential and a solid foundation to grow on.