QPR boss Stephan signs new deal

Julien Stephan replaced Marti Cifuentes as Queens Park Rangers boss [Getty Images] Queens Park Rangers head coach Julien Stephan has signed a new contract to keep him at Loftus Road. The 45-year-old arrived at the West London club in June 2025 after previously coaching French clubs Rennes and Strasbourg, and he guided Rangers to a 15th-place Championship finish in his first season, 11 points clear of the relegation zone. After suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat by eventual Championship winners Coventry City in just his third league game in charge, Stephan steadied the ship and midway through last season they were in touching distance of the play-off places. But a disappointing second half of the campaign, which included four consecutive league defeats between February and mid-March, and another four to end the season, meant Stephan's side were 15 points adrift of sixth-placed Hull City, who earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. The club have not disclosed the length of Stephan's new deal. "I just want to thank the owners and thank Christian [Nourry - chief executive] for the confidence - I am very happy to continue this journey with the club," Stephan told the R's website. "I'm convinced that at the end we can give a lot of joy to the fans - it's really important. "We know exactly that the objective of the club in the mid to long term is to reach the play-offs - and more than access the play-offs, to play in the Premier League. "But we have to continue to build something very strong together, on and off the pitch, in terms of mindset, in terms of working, and how we want to develop the players." Nourry added: "Julien has brought positivity, energy and has begun to return the club to an era of more vibrant, attacking football. "From a human perspective, I cannot speak highly enough of the integrity of the person and the coach." Latest QPR news, analysis and fan views