Next QPR Manager: Frontrunner 'seduced' by Championship job after recent agent change

QPR supporters continue to wait for communication over the future of head coach Marti Cifuentes and to see who will lead the club for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

The Catalan boss was put on ‘gardening leave’ more than a month ago, prior to the final Championship fixture of the season against Sunderland. Assistants Xavi Calm and Kevin Betsy took charge for that victory over the Black Cats but are not expected to stay on in a full time position.

Cifuentes could technically still return to the job but that seems the most unlikely of solutions to the predicament. The 42-year-old was reported to have fallen out with CEO Christian Nourry. In a statement released when Cifuentes was placed on leave, Nourry said: “This is naturally a disappointing situation for everyone concerned.

“I fully understand and appreciate supporters’ frustrations at this time. As a club, we are working to ensure this matter is resolved as swiftly as possible so we can start preparations in earnest for the future.”

QPR continue manager search

Several candidates have been linked with the job at Loftus Road but, as other Championship rivals confirm appointments, the list of frontrunners is ever changing. At one point, Newcastle United coach Jason Tindall emerged as a strong option but those links were rubbished by Eddie Howe while Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason is now West Brom bound. Johannes Hoff Thorup had held talks with QPR but is not thought to be interested in the opportunity in west London.

The latest frontrunner is former Rennes boss Julien Stéphan. A midfielder in his playing days, the 44-year-old was sacked by the Ligue 1 outfit in November 2024 having lost five of the team’s opening 10 league fixtures. Stéphan had spent one year in that post, which was his second stint following a stay between 2018 and 2021.

Rennes missed European qualification for the first time in seven years following the 2023/24 season, finishing the division in 10th. Between his spells at Rennes, Stéphan spent a year and a half with Strasbourg, where he secured a first top six finish for the club since 1980.

Julien Stéphan ‘seduced’ by English opportunities

Stéphan became a frontrunner for the job over the past week and FootMercato has now claimed that the coach is ‘seduced’ by the idea of working in the Championship. A report read: “Looking for a new head coach to replace Spaniard Marti Cifuentes, cast out at the end of last season having spoken with other English clubs without warning the club, QPR are looking all over Europe. On the shortlist for the club, who finished 15th in the Championship last season and have notably developed Jonathan Varane - the half-brother of Raphael - is Julien Stéphan.

“Without a club since leaving Stade Rennais, the winner of the Coupe de France 2019 with Rennes is looking for a new project. The 44-year-old, who changed representatives over the Spring just gone, is seduced by the idea of coaching in England. One to follow.”

In other news, 'Price to pay' - Club chief sends clear message to QPR over managerial links.