Updated March 17, 2026
New manager Julien Stephan navigates a lower-half battle
QPR appointed French coach Julien Stephan after Marti Cifuentes departed by mutual consent in June 2025, tasking him with lifting a club that has spent its eleventh consecutive season in the Championship without seriously threatening promotion. The Hoops have been fighting in the lower half of the table, though a 3-1 victory at Leicester City in March 2026 provided a crucial boost in the battle to stay clear of the relegation zone. Striker Rumarn Burrell has been a bright spot with ten goals.
Loftus Road charm masks a club in need of direction
QPR's compact Loftus Road ground in Shepherd's Bush, with its capacity just over 18,000 and supporters packed tightly around the pitch, remains one of the most atmospheric venues in the Championship. But the charm of the ground masks a club that has lacked a coherent long-term plan since the heady days of Tony Fernandes's ownership and the 2014 Premier League promotion. The current ownership group has stabilized finances but the on-pitch product has been consistently underwhelming.