QPR dealt big double blow - It's really not a good start to the summer | OneFootball

QPR are set to lose out in the dugout and potentially on the pitch too

So far, it's been a 2025 to forget for QPR fans, and things aren't looking any brighter as we head into the summer.

A seven-game winless run through February condemned the Hoops to yet another season of finishing mid-table in the Championship, ending the campaign without a manager after Marti Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave by the club.

For the past few weeks or so, the vacant position in the dugout at Loftus Road was set to be taken by former Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, but that has recently broken down, per a report from Danish outlet Tipsbladet.

And now, after seemingly missing out on their main candidate to replace Cifuentes, QPR may be forced into replacing one of their prized assets, as Jonathan Varane could be on his way back to Spain after a promising first season in West London.

QPR double blow creates a demoralising start to the summer transfer window

For many football fans, the beginning of the summer transfer window is an exciting time.

This summer however, it's provided uncertainty and dread for those associated with QPR.

Losing out on the potential hire of Johannes Hoff Thorup isn't related to transfers, but given that it's been almost three weeks since their interest was registered by John Percy, and over two since the R's were reportedly in "advanced talks" with the 36-year-old Dane to become their new head coach, seeing it break down this late on in the negotiations seems more than wasteful.

Arguably more concerning, though, is the reported interest in Jonathan Varane, who established himself as a quality defensive-minded midfielder last season in his first Championship campaign.

West London Sport have reported that La Liga side Espanyol are tabling a package worth just over £5 million for the 23-year-old Frenchman and, whilst QPR are expected to reject this offer, it's almost certain that Varane will attract more interest as the window goes on.

Varane was in the top 5% of Championship defensive midfielders in dual percentage won, both on the ground and in the air, last season.

QPR are still at square one - it's a real worry

It's been a month since the culmination of the Championship season and, whilst many of QPR's league rivals are heading up preparations for the new campaign, the Hoops are still yet to get out of the starting blocks.

Many would have expected a new manager through the door at Loftus Road by now, and it seems they have shifted their attention to Randers head coach Rasmus Bertelsen. Whoever the new man in the dugout is, R's fans will be hopeful an agreement can be made sooner rather than later.

A deal they hope won't be done any time soon will be the potential sale of Jonathan Varane, a player who, no matter the managerial situation, needs to be one of the centrepieces of the club for the new season.

Losing the 23-year-old would be an even bigger blow added to what has already been a turbulent month or so for QPR and, whilst there's still plenty of time to get back on the right track ahead of the 2025/26 season, it may not be long before alarm bells are starting to sound at Loftus Road.