“We can do a lot better” – QPR urged to look past 50-year-old manager candidate; Huddersfield would be a better fit.
This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been linked with Queens Park Rangers, among other EFL clubs, as they seek a replacement for Marti Cifuentes.
While the Spaniard is still technically employed by QPR, his current gardening leave status effectively ends his reign at Loftus Road, and the R’s will be looking for a new manager.
According to The Sun, Robinson was among the first names associated with the position.
The former Morecambe and Oldham Athletic manager, who currently leads St Mirren to sixth place in the Scottish Premiership, is reportedly a top target for League One side Huddersfield Town.
The Northern Irishman has a contract until the summer of 2027, and any interested club would have to pay “significant compensation” to get Robinson out.
QPR stated that they can outperform St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson.
According to Football League World’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir, Robinson’s performance does not elicit positive emotions.
The Northern Irish manager’s coaching career has primarily been successful north of the border, rather than at QPR level.
“For me, I’m always a bit wary about people coming from the Scottish league, whether it’s players or managers,” Moir told the news outlet FLW.
“It may be a negative reaction to the Scottish league and Scottish football, and there have been some good players from Scotland, but looking at him and his win percentages, there’s nothing to brag about.
| Stephen Robinson’s managerial history | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team (Dates) | Games in charge | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points per game |
| St Mirren (02/22 – pres) | 146 | 52 | 28 | 66 | 1.26 |
| Morecambe (06/21 – 02/22) | 41 | 10 | 9 | 22 | 0.95 |
| Motherwell (02/17 – 12/20) | 169 | 72 | 27 | 70 | 1.44 |
| Oldham Athletic (07/16 – 01/17) | 33 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 1.03 |
| Source: Sofascore – correct as of 12/05/25 | |||||
“It’s not a name that makes me particularly excited. As I previously stated, his overall win percentage is not particularly noteworthy.
“Obviously, he has EFL experience, but consider the clubs where he has played: Oldham and Morecambe.
“I just think we can do a lot better than that, and with that type of name attached, I just don’t think he’d fit the model we’re looking for.
“I believe it is a name that was created out of thin air, as we are looking for a manager. Personally, I don’t think there’s much serious interest in that, and I wouldn’t be particularly excited about it.
QPR require stability, not uncertainty, and Stephen Robinson would provide more of the latter.
Appointing Cifuentes was a risky decision, similar to pursuing Robinson.
The Spaniard had no experience working in England, let alone the EFL. The difference comes when you compare his success with Hammerby IF to what the Northern Irishman has accomplished in his career.
Yes, it is difficult to win league titles and qualify for Europe with the likes of St Mirren when you are up against the two Glaswegian powerhouses every season; the last team not named Celtic or Rangers to win the Scottish first division was Aberdeen in 1985, under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Even so, given his disadvantage in comparison to the top two, Robinson hasn’t impressed enough to make you overlook his previous EFL experience.
Appointing him would be a gamble. Some of them, such as Cifuentes, are worth taking. QPR should not risk losing their Championship status now.
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