QPR are ready to hire Alou Diarra as Julien Stephan’s assistant, according to French news publication L’Equipe.
Stephan is set to take over as QPR’s new head coach. Over the last few months, the Hoops have been looking for a new manager and have carefully considered their alternatives.
Diarra, 43, is anticipated to join the R’s as well. He will join the team’s new backroom staff for the next season.
L’Equipe reports that the Frenchman will team up with Stephan in England. The Hoops are preparing for another year in the Championship.
Don Goodman, a Sky Sports pundit, believes QPR have taken too long in their managerial hunt, telling Football League World: “I do think any club currently at this stage in proceedings without a manager is really leaving it a bit late.” What will players be back in? Three weeks for the preseason? So now is the time to plan, rubber-stamp, and finalise. So it’s unfortunate that QPR haven’t been able to resolve this issue.”
He clarified: “I don’t know too much about Julien Stephan, and I know he has had a couple of stints at Rennes and Strasbourg.”
QPR to bring in Alou Diarra QPR finished 12th in the table last season.
Marti Cifuentes then left in late April, and Kevin Betsy was appointed caretaker.
Diarra represented France 44 times during his playing career. He was a midfielder who played more than 400 games.
He formerly worked at Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Lens, Lyon, Marseille, West Ham, and Charlton Athletic.
The Villepinte native retired in 2017 after a final season with AS Nancy. Diarra has since entered the coaching industry, beginning in the youth setup at Lens. He most recently worked at Troyes.
What now for QPR? QPR is taking a risk by selecting Stephan.
As with any foreign head coach, he may need time to adjust to life in a new country. The 44-year-old previously managed Rennes and Strasbourg. He has won 41.2% of his games in the dugout thus far.
However, having Diarra join the Hoops with him will be beneficial to Stephan. He played in England, and that experience should benefit him. The R’s have the opportunity to add some new players in the coming months. They also have the option to let certain people leave.
Leave a Reply