An interview with Julien Stephan, by Ben McFadyean.
A former defensive midfielder with Racing Paris, Toulouse, and Paris Saint-Germain, Stéphan led Stade Rennes to the 2019 Coupe de France title. The star-studded team included Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele and Serhou Guirassy. The 45-year-old also managed Strasbourg, who reached the semi-final of the UEFA Conference League last season.
Julien Stéphan has been the manager of QPR since June 2025, finishing 15th in his first season 25/26. The club has carried out a major overhaul this summer, making 15 new signings, including goalkeeper Calum Ward from Motherwell for £1m, Ghana international right-back Tariq Lamptey from Fiorentina, as well as left-back Dennis Cirkin from Sunderland. The West London side are up to 8th and focused on the play-offs.
QPR finished 15th last season, a challenging first season for you. What can we expect in 26/27?
“Just for us to continue the process, you know, we have a very young team, and last season, for the vast majority of them it was the first or second season in the Championship.
“What we need is to draw on that experience that we gained last season and continue to grow together. Yes, we can improve on last season.”
You have assembled an impressive squad at QPR over the summer, including Callum Ward, Rumarn Burrell, Tariq Lamptey, Dennis Cirkin, Richard Kone, and Ilias Chair. Who is the one player we should be watching out for at QPR this season?
“This QPR is a collective effort; there are no superstars.
“If at the end of the season, the fans and those who follow our games say that QPR is a top team as a collective, rather than a team of outstanding individuals, I will probably be the most satisfied manager in the Championship.”
The signing last season of Kōki Saitō, who has been capped at all levels by Japan, is one filled with potential. He scored 4 goals and performed well in his 36 games, but how much do you expect from him?
“Koki is a great player; he is able to do the last pass and finish as well. Of course, we have a lot of competition between the players, and a good number of creative players.
“What is important for players like Koki is to let him express his football. Koki needs freedom to express his game because he’s a very creative player, but there is more to come. I believe we will see a lot more from him.”
You spent your playing career in France and much of your coaching career, but have gained one year’s experience in England now; how does it contrast working in English football compared to being in France?
“The English culture and the French culture are completely different, and for me, it was a pretty big experience discovering that last season. I learned a lot in the Championship; it was a really important first season in so many ways.
“I try to be curious and continue to learn from the players here, but also from all the people around the club, and from the fans as well. That way I understand exactly what they want to see on the pitch, and we grow together as a club; that is what is important in France or England.”
England under Thomas Tuchel finished third, the best result since 1966. They have just reached the quarterfinals of the Nations League. Do you feel that English talents are at the same level as France now?
“Yeah, probably very close now. I think the English game has improved vastly in the last 15 years.
“We have seen some really great improvements across the different academies, and the influx of coaches and players from other top leagues has also helped the players to grow further.”
Is the Premier League now the best league in the world?
“Yes. The big challenge now for English players is to play in the best league in the world; the competition is fierce.
“We continue to produce some top young talent here. They need, however, to gain the opportunity to play with the first team.
“It’s a big challenge for the young players now in England, but they are very talented and very close to being among the best players in the world.”
Paris FC are in the top 5 in Ligue 1. They only returned to the top tier in 2025 but have a top backer in the Arnauld family, owners of the LVMH fashion giants; Red Bull have invested; they have a 20,000-capacity stadium in the form of the Stade Jean-Bouin; have signed players including Kevin Trapp; and have brought back Liam Rosenior, who was with Chelsea. How successful can the club become?
“Paris FC is like a new club now in France. They have improved a lot in the last two or three years, finally rising to Ligue 1 last season.
“They play an impressive, possession-based style and have a strong budget and a real desire to compete at the top of the table. It’s a very exciting project.
“I think they are very clever in how they develop the project. It’s a club for the future. If things go to plan in the next two to three years, they can be high up in the table.”
You won the 2019 Coupe de France, French Cup, with Stade Rennais, notably with players including Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, and top BVB scorer Serhou Guirassy. Their careers have been absolutely spectacular so far; can we expect more to come?
“I know these players very well; I worked with Ousmane for three years at Rennes. I wanted to recruit him because I could see so much quality in him, and he has evolved into that fantastic player.
“Each of them is a completely different player, but they are exceptional players. Much more than that, they are fantastic people with a great mentality and a real winning mindset.”
After reaching the semifinal of the World Cup, France next take on Turkey in the UEFA Nations League. Let me ask you about Zinedine Zidane and his appointment as national team manager: what are your expectations about how much he can achieve?
“You know Zizou is simply a legend in France, so it’s so natural that he now has the ‘top job’. I’m pretty sure that he will do a really great job.
“The French national team is in a very good place, though, and has been for the last 14 years. There is great staff in place across the national team setup for him to work with.
“I wish him and his staff the best, and I’m sure that it will be really inspiring to see him on the bench.”