QPR facing fresh Julien Stephan exit threat | OneFootball

Julien Stéphan's future at QPR is up in the air as the end of the season draws near

QPR will go into the final round of Championship fixtures with little but pride to play for, with Julien Stéphan's debut campaign having petered out into a mid-table finish.

The West London outfit could move back into the top half of the table with a victory, depending on results elsewhere, but a defeat risks leaving them as low as 17th.

Stéphan was appointed in the summer following Martí Cifuentes’ exit, and he has been unable to make a substantial improvement to the team’s position within the second division.

A difficult run of form to end the campaign has seen the Frenchman’s side winless in their last five fixtures.

Their most recent victory came against Watford on 2 April, drawing two and losing three in the time since.

It has even been reported that the Hoops have made contact with Filipe Luis as a potential replacement in the dugout, but no decision has yet been made on Stéphan’s future.

Julien Stéphan eyed by Ligue 1 club

It has been reported by journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter that a club in Ligue 1 are eyeing a potential move for Stéhan at the end of the campaign.

The only further clue given by the reporter is that Lille are not pursuing the QPR boss, but there are still plenty of teams in the French top flight that could be looking for a new head coach.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the 45-year-old, with this disappointing end to the Championship campaign leading to speculation over a possible change in the dugout at Loftus Road.

Filipe Luis has been linked, and the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star is currently out of work after his departure from Flamengo.

The Brazilian enjoyed a strong stint in charge of the Série A side, winning five trophies before exiting in March of this year.

Stéphan agreed a two-year deal with QPR when he took over last summer, meaning he has just 12 months left on his contract.

The Frenchman has previously worked in Ligue 1 with Rennes and Strasbourg, with the move to Loftus Road being his first foray into English football.

The Hoops have just one game left in the campaign, with confirmation on his future likely to follow.

Next up for QPR is a trip to face promotion-chasing Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 2 May in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Julien Stéphan departure would open the door to Filipe Luis

If Stéphan departed at the end of the season for a club in Ligue 1, then that would naturally open the door to Filipe Luis.

The Brazilian is a very highly rated coach, and his appointment could prove a real coup for the club.

It also wouldn’t be a disaster to lose Stéphan, with the team’s recent form showing how little progress has been made over the last 12 months. However, there are many QPR fans who would like to see the French boss handed a second season and ample backing in the summer window.

This QPR squad has a lot of potential, so the club’s hierarchy have to make a difficult decision in the coming weeks over whether the Frenchman is the man to bring them forward over the next year, or if another change in the dugout is needed in the form of Filipe Luis.