What Zan Celar has done after leaving QPR - it's sparked big controversy | OneFootball

Zan Celar is making headlines for the wrong reason at Fortuna Düsseldorf after leaving QPR on loan last summer

QPR have elected to sanction a host of exits in recent times, with manager Julien Stephan stamping down his authority and bidding to shape the Championship outfit in his mold.

A glut of players departed Loftus Road both in January and throughout the previous summer, with pre-season expectations in West London having been positive and optimistic.

QPR have perhaps flattered to deceive, however, and both general inconsistency and defensive frailties have often undone Stephan's side as another middling mid-table campaign likely awaits in the Frenchman's first campaign in charge.

He has spared little time in shifting those on the periphery and incapable of forging their way into his plans, which led to Zan Celar being allowed to leave the club after just one season.

The Slovenian striker arrived at QPR with much excitement in the summer of 2024 but endured a difficult time of it in the Championship by managing just two goals in 24 appearances before seeing his season curtailed by injury, with both of those strikes coming in a 2-0 victory at Cardiff City ahead of the Bluebirds' eventual relegation.

Celar, who scored 21 goals across all competitions for Swiss top-flight outfit Lugano to encourage QPR's transfer punt, sealed a switch to Fortuna Dusseldorf of the German second-tier back in August, though he has struggled to rediscover his goalscoring mojo.

The 26-year-old is perhaps having an even worse time of it over in Germany than he was at QPR, and he's now emerged at the centre of an internal controversy which hardly bodes well for any faint prospects of returning to the fold with the Hoops.

Zan Celar in Fortuna Dusseldorf controversy after QPR loan exit

Celar is currently struggling for both form and regular opportunities for the mid-table Bundesliga.2 side, having failed to find the back of the net from 13 league appearances - just three of which have been starts.

Indeed, the striker has not started for Markus Anfang's outfit since November and his time at the Merkus Spiel-Arena is simply going from bad to worse.

After Dusseldorf reportedly pursued the possibility of terminating Celar's agreement, a proposal which was rebuffed by QPR, it has now been claimed that his attitude is causing problems behind the scenes amid reports of training ground fall-outs at Dusseldorf.

As reported by German newspaper Rheinische Post, via SportWitness, Celar proved a disruptive influence in a training match on Monday, in which his teammates were left frustrated after a series of "weak passes" and selfish shots at goal.

Celar is said to have shown little interest in helping his losing side, and Dusseldorf players were "visibly frustrated" due to the misfiring forward "remaining selfish."

It has also been added that Dusseldorf vice-captain Tim Oberdorf pulled Celar up on his actions, which then resulted in the loanee undertaking what is described as a "verbal outburst".

Celar's antics have hardly impressed manager Anfang, who proceeded to warn the 17-cap Slovenian international of his behaviour potentially harming the team.

Anfang explained to the newspaper: "It’s a difficult situation for Zan. He came here to play a lot. He’s doing that less now.

"He hasn’t used the playing time he’s been given in a way that puts him in the spotlight. My job is to hold a mirror up to him and make it clear that he’s not doing himself any favours.

"Emotions have to go somewhere. That’s okay. He just mustn’t harm the team."

Anfang continued: “If that (Celar's behaviour causing wider damage) were the case, then we would have to intervene. That hasn’t been the case so far.

"It’s fine that the players sometimes have discussions amongst themselves. I come from a time when things were very different. I’m glad that they exchange ideas and that someone actually speaks up.

“Perhaps the player isn’t even aware of what he’s doing at that moment. I’m happy to observe things that come from within the team and that help them sort things out themselves.

"If it starts going in the wrong direction, then I have to intervene.”

Zan Celar's Fortuna Dusseldorf woes leave QPR with clear transfer priority

Celar has evidently been below-par both on and off-the-pitch for Dusseldorf, with the striker leaving plenty to be desired in his rare opportunities to play and seemingly causing problems away from the field.

It's a poor look for Celar, who will now surely be left to restart his career away from QPR once the summer transfer window rolls around.

QPR already have solid striking options in the likes of Rumarn Burrell and Richard Kone, who have both displayed encouraging signs under Stephan this term, and it's hard to see any future in blue and white for the ex-Maribor and Roma frontman.

His time at QPR has been a nightmare, and with the Dusseldorf stint simply worsening as time goes on, the Hoops surely won't be pleased when keeping an eye on developments and now have no other real option than to explore the market and find a buyer to take him off their hands on a permanent basis.