3 managers QPR must consider if Julien Stephan leaves ft ex-Celtic boss | OneFootball

QPR could be forced to look for replacements for Julien Stephan after he was linked with a return to France.

QPR have had a decent first season under Julien Stephan, with the Frenchman having made a positive impression at Loftus Road.

Of course, there is still plenty of room for improvement, but the R’s have decent foundations in place, and there are a lot of exciting youngsters at the club.

So, going into the summer window, the challenge will be to add genuine quality that can make QPR a real contender for a top eight position next season, which would give them a shot at reaching the Premier League.

4 ? ? QPR could be forced to look for Julien Stephan replacements amid Ligue 1 interest

However, those plans could be impacted by Stephan, as reports from France have claimed that the R’s boss is on the radar of a Ligue 1 team.

The 45-year-old has a good reputation in his home country after the work he did with Rennes and Strasbourg, and the chance to return to France may appeal.

Therefore, QPR may have to have alternatives lined up, as they will not want this to drag on if Stephan did depart, even if they will be keen to keep him in London.

But, contingency plans must be in place, and here we look at THREE candidates QPR should consider if Stephan does leave…

3 ? ? Jens Berthel Askou

This would be an ambitious move, as Askou has been linked with Celtic, but it’s certainly something QPR should consider, because the work he has done with Motherwell this season has been exceptional.

Askou inherited a Motherwell side that finished 8th last season, and had a squad made up of journeymen.

Yet, without any real investment, he has made the Steelmen a joy to watch, playing a stylish brand of attacking football, which was evident again on Sunday as they won 3-2 against Rangers at Ibrox.

Askou’s influence is highlighted by the fact five players made the Scottish Premiership Team of the Year, so the Dane is clearly a coach on the rise, and he has shown he can improve individuals.

Again, it wouldn’t be straightforward to convince him to join, but QPR are an attractive option, and he could implement a style of play that the fans would love.

2 ? ? Wilfried Nancy

Another manager who has links to Scotland, it’s fair to say the view north of the border on Nancy will be completely different to Askou.

The Frenchman is best known to fans in the UK for his disastrous time with Celtic, where he lost six of his eight games in charge before he was sacked.

However, there were reasons behind that, as Nancy tried to implement a new formation mid-season on a team that had been used to a specific way of playing for years. Obviously, at QPR, he would have a full pre-season to get his message across to the group.

Plus, the pressure at Celtic is unique, as you don’t have time, and it’s all about winning. Whilst QPR fans still want success, there will be more patience and understanding that would benefit Nancy.

Prior to his time at Parkhead, Nancy had emerged as a very exciting coach due to the work he had done in MLS with Montreal and Columbus Crew, which included winning the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup with the latter.

He did that playing fast, expansive football, and with a point to prove, Nancy could be a risk worth taking for QPR.

This wouldn’t be a left-field choice, but Gerrard is still someone who would divide opinion, as he has had a mixed record since becoming a manager, having experienced success with Rangers, before struggling with Aston Villa, and he then went to Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq.

Nevertheless, Gerrard is a man that will command respect from the players, and he is keen to get back into management, so he would arrive with a point to prove.

Given his status in the game, he could help QPR attract quality players, and he could be the sort of figurehead that can galvanise the group and push them on.

Rival interest from the likes of Burnley and Bristol City means QPR would have to sell the project to Gerrard, but they are a club with potential, and the Liverpool legend may see it as a challenge that excites him.