QPR told 44-year-old is the man they "have to prioritise" after Johannes Hoff Thorup twist | OneFootball

QPR Fan Pundit Louis has weighed in on the reports surrounding Johannes Hoff Thorup and why Julien Stephan must now be the club's top priority.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Reports from Danish outlet Tipsbladet have suggested that Johannes Hoff Thorup has turned down the chance to take the managerial reins at Queens Park Rangers.

However, when asked whether he is disappointed at the news, FLW's R's Fan Pundit Louis Moir isn't convinced by that version of events, and believes QPR may already have their sights set elsewhere.

QPR: Julien Stephan should be "100%" the priority

Speaking to FLW, R's supporter Louis isn't reading too much into reports that Thorup rejected the club, suggesting it may instead be QPR who decided to move on, with links emerging between the club and ex-Rennes manager Julien Stephan.

"I think the news of Thorup rejecting us - personally, I wouldn't 100% believe that," he said. "There have been talks for weeks, and it looked like he was the man to take over, and now reports may suggest that he has rejected a move to QPR, but it could simply be that we have chosen someone else instead of him."

And that "someone else" could be a much more exciting prospect.

"Looking at it now with the name going around, Julien Stephan, who could be a done deal, I think he is the man we have to prioritise," said Louis.

Julien Stephan is an ambitious option for QPR

Stephan, 44, built a strong reputation in France after guiding his hometown club Rennes to a historic Coupe de France win in 2019 and the club's first-ever Champions League group-stage appearance.

He later led Strasbourg to their best Ligue 1 finish in over four decades, placing sixth in 2021/22.

His return to Rennes in the summer of 2023 was more difficult. A 10th-place finish in 2023/24 saw the club fall short of European qualification for the first time in seven years, and after a poor start to the following campaign, he was dismissed in November 2024.

Despite that setback, Stephan remains well-regarded in coaching circles. He was strongly linked with the France U21 role following Thierry Henry’s departure, before Gerald Baticle was handed the post. Football pedigree runs in the family; his father, Guy Stephan, has served as Didier Deschamps' long-time assistant with the French national team.

With QPR in search of a steady and inspired appointment, Louis believes the ex-Rennes boss is exactly the kind of candidate the club should be targeting: "Having looked at his background, I would say it is a fairly ambitious appointment. I am really excited by what he has already done in his managerial career.

"He's worked with some top players, developed younger players, especially at Rennes. For me, it is a no-brainer to choose him over Thorup."

What comes next at Loftus Road

QPR's managerial search has taken centre stage since the departure of Marti Cifuentes. With Julien Stephan now heavily linked, the R's fanbase could soon have a new reason for optimism.

Stability is a huge requirement at Loftus Road over the summer, with the club aiming to further progress up the Championship standings after an inconsistent period in recent years.

Louis is hoping the club makes the right call, and quickly.

"Hopefully this is true, and that Julien Stephan gets the go-ahead and will be our new gaffer," he concluded.