Official | Julien Stéphan named QPR head coach | OneFootball

EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) has announced the signing of Julien Stéphan. The 44-year-old head coach replaces Marti Cifuentes, whose exit was confirmed on Monday. Cifuentes was dismissed after holding talks with other English clubs without informing QPR’s hierarchy. The Spaniard led the Hoops to a 15th-place finish in the second tier.

As for Stéphan, the son of France’s deputy assistant coach, Guy Stéphan, he was a free agent following his dismissal as Rennes head coach in November, after a 4-0 away loss to Auxerre. His replacement in the Roazhon Park dugout – Jorge Sampaoli – only lasted two months before being given the sack.

Stéphan has reportedly signed a two-year deal with QPR, with the option of a further year should he achieve a Premier League promotion. Former France international midfielder Alou Diarra is expected to be Stéphan’s assistant coach.

“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“, Stéphan said. “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.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval