Dunne named as skipper by QPRpublished at 17:57 13 July
17:57 13 July
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Jimmy Dunne missed just one league match for Queen's Park Rangers last season
Jimmy Dunne has been named as the new Queens Park Rangers club captain for the coming season.
The 27-year-old defender, who was named player of the year by both the Rs fans and players for last season, signed a new contract with the club last month.
Dunne, who joined the London side from Burnley four years ago, told the club website, external: "I was definitely a kid when I came here and the experiences with the different head coaches have definitely been very valuable.
"I definitely understand the game a lot better than I did at the start. I'm less emotional in my decision-making than I was when I first came. But I'm still just as eager to win."
Gossip: Cifuentes set to be new Foxes bosspublished at 10:43 10 July
10:43 10 July
Leicester City have made a verbal agreement with former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes to become their new head coach, with the 43-year-old Spaniard reportedly contributing to his own compensation package with the Hoops. (TalkSport), external
Brazilian defender Hevertton Santos, 24, is set to leave QPR for Portuguese side Gil Vicente following the signing of Australian right-back Kealey Adamson in June. (West London Sport), external
'The problem isn't a manager, it's a striker'published at 11:20 1 July
11:20 1 July
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We asked you what you thought of QPR's switch from Marti Cifuentes to Julien Stephan in the manager's seat.
Here's what you had to say:
Mark: Who knows? Cifuentes was mostly unknown to QPR fans when he arrived. We had our ups and downs, but Cifuentes remained very popular with the fanbase. I'm a big fan of Cifuentes, was sorry to see him go. He's a popular act to follow. Time will tell.
Tony: It's not so important as to who the manger is. The real issue is the board giving that manager money to buy quality players and especially a striker, that will make a difference.
Roy: Good luck to the new manager certainly, but a difficult season ahead for someone who probably knows little about the Championship. Marti did a great job in the circumstances he was dealt and losing him is very sad, especially given the circumstances. If things do not go well, I hope that as well as the new manager being 'moved on', the person or people who made the decision to change manager in this way will also be shown the door as unceremoniously as possible.
Mark: I think it is a fantastic appointment, hopefully will have complete backing. Probably not a huge amount of money available for him to spend, so will have to buy wisely. Had a lot injuries last season, that seriously frustrated Cifuentes. Seems like this has now been addressed. Good luck to Stephan and his team.
Gavin: The biggest problem for QPR last season was not really the manager but a lack of goals and a recognised and injury free striking combination. Perhaps we could nab Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers (potential 20 goals a season) as he's young, hungry, versatile and athletic enough that he can play as a loan striker coming from deep or as a long ball target man or in a 2 or 3 man attack? With the excellent appointment of Steve Bould as defensive coordinator, I'm confident we will concede far fewer goals from now on, so it's goal scoring that needs to be the focus. Maybe Charlie Austin as a club legend could come back in some role as a strikers' mentor/coach to develop forward play skill, but with a highly enthusiastic and positive mental attitude? Overall, I'm looking forward to seeing the Hoops fighting as a unified team for promotion this coming season rather than flirting with relegation…
Paul: After 49 years of attending and actively supporting this club, my passion has gone. The current owners refuse to invest, even with Cifuentes' inspirational efforts: they treat the club like a trophy girlfriend. No decent striker in years, just desperately scraping up league one and two players discarded, or about to be, by their clubs. Relegation seems more certain than ever, but that could finally see the end of the current owners and Chairman, and that has to be a good thing.
John: One of optimism, which I think we should all have. The way the younger players come on can provide the Rs with a good future. We must not expect immediate success. He must be given time. I have been a supporter since our Third Division South days! I'm 84 and living in Cyprus.
Gossip: Baggies keen on League One starpublished at 10:35 30 June
10:35 30 June
West Bromwich Albion are considering a move for Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Kelman after the 23-year-old impressed last season on loan at Leyton Orient, earning League One's golden boot with 21 goals. (Darren Witcoop via X), external
QPR add former France star to coaching teampublished at 14:41 26 June
14:41 26 June
Image source, Rex Features
Former France international Alou Diarra has joined QPR as Julien Stephan's first-team coach.
Diarra made 44 appearances for Les Bleus, including in the 2006 World Cup final, during a career which saw him represent Lens, Bordeaux and Marseille in Ligue 1 plus West Ham in the Premier League and Charlton in the Championship.
The 43-year-old retired in 2017 and has since coached at Lens, when he came up against Stephan, and latterly at Troyes.
He told the R's website, external: "It is a pleasure to be here and part of a new, exciting project with QPR. Working with players in the Championship, a very tough league, is very exciting.
"I want to share my experiences with the players to help them. I know with this league you have to be consistent and play to create chances so we have to build principles. It is a tough league but I hope I can help this young team to develop.
"The squad here has great potential. We must work hard to be better every day, step by step. I have a good feeling for this team and I am excited for the season to start. This pre-season will be very important."
Cifuentes guided the Rs to a 15th-placed finish this season but was put on gardening leave after their penultimate game, a 5-0 thrashing at home against Burnley in April.
In an open letter to fans, the Spaniard said he had felt the fans' "passion and unconditional support" from his first day in the role.
"I arrived at Loftus Road at a difficult time with a huge challenge ahead. And yet, from day one I felt the fans' passion, unconditional love and, above all, love for this very special club.
"Thank you for your energy every matchday. Your voice and your faith have always been a source of inspiration.
"I am proud to have been part of this club and to have contributed, alongside a fantastic team of players and coaching staff, to ensuring the club's continued presence in the Championship over the last few seasons.
"It wasn't always easy but we did it the way great things are achieved: with honesty, hard work and togetherness.
"We saw the development of many young players and we saw some amazing nights under the lights at Loftus Road - Stan Bowles being one that sticks with me.
"Although my journey now continues in a different direction, I wish the club's dedicated board, all the staff and players across every age group the best for the future."
Is Stephan a good appointment for QPR?published at 11:32 25 June
11:32 25 June
Image source, Getty Images
QPR have appointed Julien Stephan as their new head coach to replace Marti Cifuentes, who departs after being placed on gardening leave at the end of April.
The 44-year-old most recently managed Rennes and guided them to a 10th-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2023-24 but was sacked just 10 games into last season with the club 13th in the table.
Stephan had previously enjoyed a successful stint with Rennes between 2018 and 2021, guiding the club to their first trophy for 48 years in April 2019 after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France.
He also led Rennes to third place in 2019-20 to help them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history before his exit in March 2021.
The Frenchman took over at Strasbourg for the 2021-22 season and helped record the club's highest league finish since 1980 as they ended in sixth position.
He was then sacked by Strasbourg in January 2023 with the club 19th in the league.
Hoops fans, are you happy with the appointment or is there another manager you'd have preferred?
Cooper signs new Rs deal and joins Barnsley on loanpublished at 13:26 23 June
13:26 23 June
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QPR goalkeeper Murphy Cooper has signed a new contract at Loftus Road and joined Barnsley on loan.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Stevenage where he made 40 appearances and kept 16 clean sheets.
Cooper came through the Hoops' academy and has made two senior appearances for the club.
He spent time on loan at Welling and Bath City before heading to Swindon Town for the 2023-24 season, making 25 appearances in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets.
He will spend the 2025-26 season on loan at Oakwell.
"I've been at QPR a long time and I want to continue to be here, so I was delighted when the club offered me a new contract - I was itching to sign it," he told the Rs' website.
"I want to do as well as I can to come back and play here. It's just about bridging the gap to eventually be the number one here. I just need to keep going, keep playing and keep improving."
Cooper follows fellow goalkeeper Joe Walsh, midfielder Sam Field and player of the season Jimmy Dunne in committing his future to the club.
QPR have not revealed the length of the new contract.
Image source, Rex Features
