Julien Stephan must end a 10-year rut to take QPR back to the top flight, their last visit was a reality check

Add as preferred source on Google

After a shocking start to the 2024/25 Championship season for QPR, Marti Cifuentes helped turn the team’s fortunes around as his side pushed towards the top half of the table.

A poor end to the season saw the R’s finish in mid-table, and Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave as he looked for a move to West Bromwich Albion.

However, a move never came, and Julien Stephan is set to take charge at Loftus Road going forward as the West London outfit prepare for the new Championship campaign.

Following their 15th place finish in May, it’s going to take a lot to see QPR rise up the table and have a chance of promotion to the Premier League, but EFL Analysis have taken a look at the last time the club were in the top flight.

• READ MORE – John Eustace must end 17 years of hurt to achieve Derby County dream and secure Premier League return

QPR were last in the Premier League in 2015, it did not end well

QPR won immediate promotion back to the top flight following relegation in 2013, with Bobby Zamora scoring one of the greatest play-off final goals against Derby County 12 months later in the 90th minute of the game.

However, Harry Redknapp’s side struggled with the jump back up to the promised land and a squad that was already ageing wasn’t helped by the arrival of Rio Ferdinand.

The ex-Manchester United centre-back was brought in to add experience to the squad, but he played just 12 games in his retirement season. Meanwhile, Adel Taarabt, a player who Curtis Davies called the EFL GOAT, made only eight appearances in all competitions.

Charlie Austin was one of the few bright sparks, scoring 18 goals in the Premier League as QPR finished bottom of the table and were relegated after a 6-0 defeat to Manchester City.

• READ MORE – When Sheffield Wednesday were last in the top flight: Financial chaos, fiery characters, and a managerial disaster

The R’s will need time before they can push for promotion again

Since returning to the Championship, the R’s have found it very difficult to challenge at the top of the division.

They have finished in the top half only three times in the last 10 seasons, and supporters have perhaps started to lack belief in their team over the course of this time.

Ex-player Joel Lynch has spoken of the club’s problems in the past, but a new manager should be allowed the opportunity to help move the club forward and after Cifuentes had started to bring some positivity back to Loftus Road, Stephan has to take over where the Spaniard left off.