Manager linked with QPR and Middlesbrough set to join new club | OneFootball

Filipe Luis has been linked with both QPR and Middlesbrough in recent months

Middlesbrough missed their chance at promotion even after being reinstated to the play-offs at the expense of Southampton.

The Teesside outfit lost in both the semi-finals and final, with a stoppage time winner from Oli McBurnie securing promotion for Hull City at Wembley Stadium.

Kim Hellberg’s side occupied a top two spot for much of the campaign before falling out of the automatic promotion places in the final weeks.

This led to a semi-final clash against Southampton which they lost 2-1 on aggregate before being reinstated into the competition when the Saints were expelled for breaching the EFL’s rules regarding spying.

Middlesbrough will now be planning for next season, with their sights set on competing for promotion once again.

This summer will also be Hellberg’s first proper chance to shape the squad to his liking as he was only appointed as manager last November.

Middlesbrough managerial option closes in on new role

It was reported earlier this year that Middlesbrough were interested in the possible appointment of Filipe Luis following his exit from Flamengo.

QPR were also linked with the Brazilian, who previously played for the likes of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.

However, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, the 40-year-old is now closing in on a move to take over at Bayer Leverkusen.

While an agreement has not yet been reached between the two parties, Filipe Luis has emerged as the front-runner to become the Bundesliga side’s next head coach.

A change in the dugout at the Riverside is currently unlikely despite the club’s failure to gain promotion, but the future of Julien Stéphan at QPR remains less clear.

Kasper Hjulmand is currently in charge of the 2024 German champions, but his departure is expected to be announced once a successor is confirmed.

Leverkusen have back-up options in case an agreement can’t be struck with the former Flamengo boss, who has never worked in European football as a coach.

The 40-year-old is their preferred choice at this stage, making his arrival at QPR quite unlikely in the event that Stéphan does depart.

The Frenchman took charge at Loftus Road last summer, and he oversaw a 15th place finish in the Championship.

But he has been linked with a return to Ligue 1, where he has previously coached Strasbourg and Rennes.

While he is still in charge of the Hoops, it is not guaranteed he will be in the dugout for the start of the new season in August.

Filipe Luis move would’ve been an ambitious swoop for QPR or Middlesbrough

If either QPR or Middlesbrough had opted for a change in manager, then a move for Filipe Luis would’ve been quite an ambitious move.

He was quite successful in Brazil, and has earned a reputation as a promising young coach in the game, so it’s not too surprising he could take over at Bayer Leverkusen.

Stéphan has earned the chance at another season at QPR, even if the team had an underwhelming end to the term.

Meanwhile, Hellberg oversaw a strong campaign with Boro, and they were quite unfortunate not to get promoted, so they should be sticking with the Swede going forward.