QPR Appoint Stephan as Manager

June 25, 2025 James Gregory Championship 0

(Image credit: qpr.co.uk)

Queens Park Rangers have appointed Julien Stephan as their new manager following the departure of Marti Cifuentes. 

Cifuentes had been in charge since October 2023 and kept QPR up in the last two seasons but quit his role yesterday (24 June), having been on gardening leave for the last two months amidst rumours that his representatives had been in talks with West Bromwich Albion.

QPR consequently acted swiftly to appoint Stephan as Cifuentes’ replacement on a two-year contract until June 2027.

“I feel very proud and excited to join QPR,” commented Stephan who spoke of pride at securing his first managerial position within English football.

“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.”

Stephan proceeded to explain that he aims to play an energetic intensity style of football which will allow players to be expressive.

“I like my team to play with intensity, energy and personality.

“I believe in collective organisation and also clear identity – but also in giving players freedom to express themselves. I like courage and I want brave players – they are the players who take initiative because I think to have emotion in football, we have to take risks.”

The 44-year-old also addressed his expectations of the playing squad with “non-negotiable” respect to the shirt.

“The main values are commitment, discipline, and team spirit,” iterated Stephan on the importance of committed performances.

“I expect my players to give everything on the pitch for the team, for the fans, and to show the right attitude.

“The shirt deserves respect, total respect, and it’s non-negotiable for me.”

Stephan however acknowledged that every player has their own approach so is keen to work with the players to understand how to extract maximum performance.

“For me, each player is different,” he added. “Most important is to understand their personality, their strengths and also what motivates them.

“I try to build a strong relationship with them and create the conditions to put them in the right environment to develop.”

With promotion being the main target for every Championship club, Stephan warned that there is work to be done to achieve that target but is confident that there is “potential” to build upon Cifuentes’ foundations.

“I see a group with talent, commitment and potential. I think for sure there’s work to do, but I think we have a great potential in the squad and there’s a strong foundation to develop.”

Turning his attention to the fan base, Stephan explained that the fans’ “support will be essential.”

“We need them. We need to fight for them and I hope they feel proud of what they see on the pitch. We need them in the good moments and also in the tough ones.

“We are ready to give our best and to start this new chapter with determination and ambition.”

QPR CEO, Christian Nourry described Stephan’s appointment as a “great pleasure” as he explained that the Frenchman’s record in player development was key to his appointment.

“Julien’s track record of developing young players into world class talent was a major factor in our decision to appoint him. Alongside this, both at Rennes and Strasbourg, he achieved historic league success.

“He has demonstrated genuine excitement about our players in the first-team squad and the prospect of working with them to try to push this club on further.”

Stephan spent his playing career with PSG’s B-Team initially before he went on to play for Toulouse, RC Paris, Stade Briochin and Drouais.

The 44-year-old Frenchman first stepped into management in 2012 with Rennes Under-19s before he was promoted to the B-Team in 2015, which was followed by the senior team in December 2018, of whom he led to the 2019 Coupe de France title.

Rennes went on to qualify for the Champions League the next season but Stephan resigned in March 2021 after a slump in form.

July 2021 saw Stephan join Strasbourg where he spent 18 months in which they managed to finish sixth in their first season under the Frenchman, only to struggle in the 2022-23 season which led to his sacking.

November 2023 saw Stephan return to Rennes for a second spell which culminated in his sacking a year later after the team struggled for form.

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