Jonathan Varane reveals what's different about QPR compared to last season | OneFootball

QPR midfielder Jonathan Varane has opened up about the changes at Loftus Road this season under head coach Julien Stephan.

It has been a frustrating period for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship as their play-off push has collapsed.

After a 15th-placed finish last season, QPR parted company with head coach Marti Cifuentes in the summer following a period of gardening leave, which came after it was revealed that his representatives had held talks with West Bromwich Albion about their vacant managerial position.

Julien Stephan was appointed as Cifuentes' replacement, and the Frenchman initially made a big impact at Loftus Road, with his side spending much of the first half of the season in and around the play-off places.

However, the R's form has declined in recent months, with Stephan's men winning just three of their last 13 games, and back-to-back defeats to top six rivals Southampton and Sheffield United have dealt a major blow to their promotion hopes.

QPR currently sit 15th in the table, and they are 10 points from the play-off places with just 11 games remaining, but they will be looking to reignite their season when they welcome second-placed Middlesbrough to Loftus Road on Sunday.

Jonathan Varane outlines key QPR difference from last season

While it has been a disappointing few weeks for QPR, they have been boosted by the return of midfielder Jonathan Varane after almost two months out with a knee sprain.

Varane has scored one goal and provided two assists in 26 appearances for the R's this season, and the 24-year-old has opened up on some of the differences at Loftus Road this season, claiming that there is now a greater togetherness in the squad.

"We are more together [than last year]," Varane told The Guardian.

"It’s another mindset. A lot of players are young and have a good mentality so it’s been easier to adapt. We started well this year and we’re in a position that means we can compete now. We’re happy to be here."

Having impressed since arriving from Sporting Gijon for a fee of £875,000 in the summer of 2024, Varane reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Espanyol, Rapid Vienna, Basel and Saint-Étienne last summer, while the latter were said to be keen to sign him on loan in January with a view to potential permanent deal worth £5.2 million.

However, Varane committed his future to QPR when he put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the club in May, and it seems he is still enjoying his surroundings in his adopted home of Windsor.

"I was walking around a lot of times with my family," Varane said.

"I like it because it’s more peaceful. I have my peace there. A lot of nature."

Julien Stephan must solve one big QPR issue to launch play-off push

Given the controversial manner of Cifuentes' exit, it is possible that Varane is aiming a subtle dig at his former manager by talking about the increased togetherness at QPR this season, but it is certainly a positive that there is more of a connection between the squad.

However, while the R's exciting young squad have shown plenty of potential this campaign, the inconsistency that has plagued many of the club's previous managers has continued under Stephan.

Stephan will be hoping that, with a year of Championship experience under their belts, his squad will be able to mount a sustained play-off push next season, but unless he can address the consistency issues, it will be difficult for QPR to reach the top six.