Exclusive: Don Goodman warns QPR over saga to replace Marti Cifuentes | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman reacts as QPR's manager search continues, with the club reportedly in advanced talks with Frenchman Julien Stephan.

With Queens Park Rangers yet to appoint a new head coach, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has voiced concerns over the timing.

As pre-season rapidly approaches, QPR's lack of progress in the dugout has become a growing point of concern, with planning for 2025/26 already well underway at rival clubs.

Julien Stephan emerges as the leading candidate to take QPR helm

According to reports from Foot Mercato, Stephan and QPR are locked in advanced talks regarding him taking the job at Loftus Road.

The 44-year-old boasts an impressive resume in French football, having led Rennes to a historic Coupe de France triumph in 2019, and their first ever Champions League campaign.

Stephan also guided Strasbourg to their best Ligue 1 finish in over 40 years, sixth in 2021/22, before a return to Rennes in 2023 proved less successful as the club finished 10th and fell short of European football.

He was sacked in November 2024 after a poor start to last term. Still, his reputation remains intact. He was considered for the France U21 role ahead of the Olympics, and is widely respected within coaching circles.

His father, Guy Stephan, is a longtime assistant to Didier Deschamps with the French national team.

Don Goodman: "They're leaving it a bit late"

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman was asked whether QPR need to get a manager in through the door sooner, rather than later.

Goodman now believes that the R's are in a race against time.

"I do think any club currently at this stage in proceedings without a manager is really leaving it a bit late," Goodman said.

"Players will be back in what? Three weeks for pre-season? So this is a period where planning should be getting done, rubber-stamped and finalised. So the fact that Queens Park Rangers haven't managed to sort that isn't great."

Asked specifically about Stephan, Goodman admitted his knowledge is limited, but acknowledged the Frenchman's mixed fortunes at club level.

"I don't know too much about Julien Stephan, and I know he has had a couple of stints at Rennes and Strasbourg," he explained.

"A bit of a bounce when he took over at Rennes again, but didn't get off to a good start last season, which is the reason he lost his job. So, other than that, it is hard to really have an opinion because I don't know too much about him."

Pressure builds on QPR to finalise appointment

With pre-season now less than a month away, QPR must act quickly to avoid falling behind in squad planning and tactical preparation.

While Stephan represents an ambitious and internationally respected choice, the delay in finalising his appointment could yet cost the club valuable momentum ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The West London side need to secure their man and get him in the building fast to avoid entering the new season on the back foot.