Queens Park Rangers have appointed Frenchman Julien Stephan as their new head coach.

The 44-year-old has replaced Marti Cifuentes, who was put on gardening leave in April and officially left the club on Tuesday night.

Stephan has had two spells in charge of his hometown club Rennes, who won the French Cup under him in 2019 - their first trophy for 48 years.

After 18 months at Strasbourg, who sacked him in 2023, he returned to Rennes but left last November after a run of poor results.

"I feel very proud and excited to join QPR," he told the club, external.

"QPR is a historic club with strong values and passionate fans, so I feel honoured.

"I wanted to come here because I know there's a lot of passion around the club and around the team, and I feel very lucky to discover that.

"There is something unique about English football. The intensity, the atmosphere, the passion of the fans also, the tempo of the game, the culture around the club all make it a very stimulating environment for a coach."

QPR finished 15th in the Championship table in 2024-25, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Who is Stephan?
As a player, Stephan was a defensive midfielder and centre-back with his career starting at Bordeaux.

He also played for Paris St-Germain's B team and later for RC Paris, Stade Briochin and FC Drouais, where he retired in 2007.

He was a youth coach at Drouais before taking on more senior management positions with Chateauroux and Lorient's under-19s team.

He then moved to Rennes, where he was born, and worked his way up through their youth teams before being named head coach for the first time in 2018.

In 2021 he resigned from his role before taking his next job at fellow Ligue 1 side, RC Strasbourg.

Stephan managed 58 games at Strasbourg in a spell that lasted until January 2023.

But in November of that year he returned to Rennes in what was his most recent job before taking the head coach role at QPR.

Stephan was sacked by Rennes after they won just three of their final 10 league games in that campaign.

'I expect players to give everything'
Stephan has built a positive reputation in France, having worked with some of the world's brightest and exciting young players.

The likes of Barcelona's Raphinha, Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid and Jeremy Doku, now of Manchester City, have all benefitted from his coaching.

Now coming into England's second tier, Stephan told the club he has high expectations and standards he will hold his players to.

"The main values are commitment, discipline and team spirit," he said.

"I expect my players to give everything on the pitch for the team, for the fans and to show the right attitude.

"The shirt deserves respect, total respect and it's non-negotiable for me.

"I see a group with talent, commitment and potential. I think for sure there's work to do but I think we have a great potential in the squad and there's a strong foundation to develop."

Stephan will find out how his schedule at QPR will look on Thursday lunchtime when the fixtures for the upcoming season are released.

Middlesbrough have appointed ex-Luton Town manager Rob Edwards as their new head coach.

Edwards, 42, moves to the Riverside Stadium on a three-year deal as the replacement for Michael Carrick, who was dismissed earlier this month.

He led Luton to the Premier League in 2023 but could not avoid relegation from the top flight 12 months later and was then dismissed by the Hatters in January when they were 20th in the Championship.

His job is now to improve a Boro team who ended last season in 10th place, four points outside the play-off spots.

"It's a real privilege to be given the opportunity to be head coach of this great football club," Edwards told the club website., external

"It's something that's not lost on me, how big this is, how important this is, and what it means to people. There is an amazing fanbase."

He added: "It felt instantly that this was right for me and it got me excited. If I was going to come back in, I wanted to come back in at a place where we had a chance, and we have a really good chance here.

"We have a brilliant owner who historically gives his coaches time, support, and the tools needed to try and be successful. I can't wait to get started now."

Edwards' managerial journey
After guiding Forest Green Rovers into League One for the first time in their history in his first EFL post, having managed AFC Telford United in National League North and worked at age-group level for Wolves and England, Edwards moved up to the Championship with Watford in the summer of 2022.

He did not last long at Vicarage Road - 11 games to be precise - but their loss was Luton's gain.

Pitching up at Kenilworth Road in November, six months later he had guided the Hatters to the Premier League by beating Coventry City in the play-off final at Wembley.

Returning to the top flight for the first time in 31 years was a huge step up for the whole club, but despite the challenge, Luton's relegation was only confirmed on the final day of the season.

Dropping back into the Championship proved a struggle, especially away from home, where they suffered 10 successive defeats and reluctantly the club and Edwards parted ways.

However, because of his success in taking Luton up, his stock has remained high.

Left behind in north east
It is now eight years since Middlesbrough were in the Premier League and they have become stuck in the second tier.

Last season was especially painful as they watched on as their north east rivals from up the A19 enjoyed seasons to remember, with Newcastle United winning the Carabao Cup, ending a 56-year wait for a major trophy, and Sunderland securing a dramatic promotion to the Premier League.

Edwards is now the eighth manager or head coach employed since 2017 and in only two of the eight seasons since then have they reached the play-offs.

They did finish fourth in Carrick's first season two years ago, but the direction of travel was down in the subsequent two campaigns as they ended eighth and then 10th.

Now the former Wales international is tasked with galvanising and re-energising a club and its support to try to compete at the top end of the division.

otts County have appointed former Burton Albion boss Martin Paterson as their new head coach.

The League Two club have been without a head coach for a month since Stuart Maynard was sacked following their play-off semi-final defeat by AFC Wimbledon.

Former Northern Ireland international forward Paterson, 38, had a brief spell in charge of Burton in the second half of the 2023-24 season, helping them narrowly avoid relegation from League One.

Notts director of football Roberto Gagliardi told the club website, external that he was "hugely excited" by Paterson's appointment.

"In our conversations with him it's been clear that he shares our vision of playing dynamic, progressive football and, as much as the club's DNA will remain the same in terms of our desire to dominate the ball, we believe he may bring more intensity and directness to our play," Gagliardi said.

"Martin wants his teams to be extremely hard-working, well-organised and difficult to play against – characteristics which were key to his success at Burton having become their manager in very challenging circumstances.

"We believe we can provide the environment for Martin to demonstrate his true capabilities as a head coach."

Burton were 17th in the table when Paterson took over, following which they won just five times in 20 games - enough to narrowly avoid relegation.

They ended up finishing 20th - one place and two points above the drop zone - although then Brewers owner and chairman Ben Robinson admitted Paterson had taken over "under very difficult circumstances".

After beginning his career with home town club Stoke City, former Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Port Vale and Tampa Bay Rowdies striker Paterson worked as a number two in England and the United States, including a stint alongside Phil Neville in Miami.

When appointed by Burton, Robinson said he saw the "same potential" in Paterson that he did in Neil Warnock, Nigel Clough and Gary Rowett - who were all appointed by Albion as up-and-coming managers.

Notts owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz said Paterson had "demonstrated immense passion, determination and ambition – underpinned by a fixation on winning" during talks over the job.

Andy Edwards will be Paterson's assistant head coach, with keeper Sam Slocombe extending his stay at Meadow Lane by becoming first-team coach.

Brackley Town have signed former Wolves midfielder Jack Price for the 2025-26 season.

Price had been a free agent for nearly a year after finishing a short-term contract at Shrewsbury last July, but is now set to return to professional football with the newly-promoted National League side.

The 32-year-old is the fifth arrival at St James Park this summer following Ryan Haynes, Danny Waldron, Kyle Morrison and Zak Brown.

During his career, Price played in the Championship with Wolves, for whom he made 115 appearances.

He also spent over five years in Major League Soccer at Colorado Rapids where he succeeded former United States and Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard as captain in 2020.

"Jack will bring a wealth of experience to the squad and is a real leader on and off the pitch," Brackley manager Gavin Cowan told the club website., external

"We're really pleased to have him on board at a time in his career where he is motivated and determined to make an impact."

Thursday dinner time the little rascals are announced

It looks like a fairly quiet start to Hibs' League campaign, but still tricky. Surely we'll get a better start than last season, but a lot will depend on who will be playing for the Hibees.

03.08.25 Dundee A
09.08.25 Kilmarnock H
23.08.25 Falkirk A
30.08.25 St Mirren H
13.09.25 Dundee United H
27.09.25 Celtic A
04.10.25 Hearts A
18.10.25 Livingston H
25.10.25 Aberdeen A
29.10.25 Rangers H - 19.45
01.11.25 Motherwell A
08.11.25 St Mirren A
22.11.25 Dundee H
29.11.25 Celtic H
03.12.25 Livingston A - 19.45
06.12.25 Falkirk H
13.12.25 Rangers A
20.12.25 Dundee United A
27.12.25 Hearts H - 12.30
30.12.25 Aberdeen H - 19.45
03.01.26 Kilmarnock A
10.01.26 Motherwell H
24.01.26 Falkirk A
31.01.26 Rangers H
04.02.26 Dundee United H - 19.45
11.02.26 Hearts A - 19.45
14.02.26 St Mirren H
21.02.26 Celtic A
28.02.26 Dundee A
14.03.26 Livingston H
21.03.26 Motherwell A
04.04.26 Kilmarnock H
11.04.26 Aberdeen A

Bristol City have appointed Gerhard Struber as their new head coach on a three-year deal.

The 48-year-old Austrian arrives two weeks after predecessor Liam Manning left Ashton Gate to take over at fellow Championship club Norwich City.

Manning had led the Robins to the play-offs last season, the first time in 17 years the club had finished in the top six of the second tier.

Struber spent a year managing Barnsley from 2019 to 2020 before spells at New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and Cologne.

He has signed a contract with the Robins until 2028.

"I am very excited for the job here with great fans and a great team - I'm looking forward to a new task," Struber told the club's website, external.

"The style of play here fits completely, especially developing young players.

"This is a very interesting group and I think they did a great job last season and were very successful. Right now is the time to build and do everything we can to go the next step."

Bristol City will be Struber's second managerial role in English football, having had a 11-month spell as Barnsley boss.

Struber joined the Tykes with the club bottom of the Championship in November 2019 but guided them to survival on the final day.

He left to become head coach of New York Red Bulls and was most recently manager of Cologne.

But despite taking the German club to the verge of promotion to the Bundesliga, he was sacked in May with only two games remaining and with the side three points clear in the automatic promotion spots.

They went on to secure promotion and win the 2. Bundesliga title two weeks later.

As a player, Struber also represented Austria at under-21 level and had a spell at Salzburg, where he started his coaching career following retirement.

He also managed FC Liefering and Wolfsberger.

Liam Manning [left] celebrates after Bristol City beat Sunderland in the Championship
Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Liam Manning led the Robins to the Championship play-offs last season

"For the last four years, we've moved our academy teams towards a high intensity, pressing style of play, and combined this with recruiting younger players with those same capabilities for the first team," said Robins chairman Jon Lansdown.

"Gerhard's style is perfectly suited to this way of playing and his passion for developing younger players is also a great fit for our club.

"It's a really exciting appointment and I'm looking forward to, together, building on the progress the club has made."

The 2024-25 campaign was Bristol City's most successful since 2008, as they finished sixth in the Championship before being comfortably beaten 6-0 on aggregate by Sheffield United in the play-offs.

Norwich-born Manning had another year still on his contract but the Canaries paid an undisclosed sum to meet a release clause.

'Appointment grabs fans' imagination' - analysis
Ed Hadwin, BBC Radio Bristol:

Gerhard Struber is only Bristol City's second-ever manager from mainland Europe, and their first since Swede Benny Lennartsson's shortlived spell at Ashton Gate, which lasted just eight months and ended in July 1999.

Struber's only spell managing in England came in 2019-20, when he kept Barnsley in the Championship, before then moving to the City Football Group where he managed teams in both New York and Salzburg, before his spell at Cologne.

He is taking over a Robins squad which enjoyed the club's best season in nearly 20 years, having finished sixth in the Championship.

They have not lost any of their senior players and look likely to add at least a couple of new faces this summer.

Given that solid base to work from and an impressive win percentage across his career, it's a very interesting appointment and one that seems to have grabbed the imagination of City fans.

Sheffield United have appointed Ruben Selles as head coach to replace the departing Chris Wilder after failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Former Southampton, Reading and Hull City boss Selles, 42, was announced as the new Blades boss less than an hour after Wilder's exit was confirmed.

Sheffield United finished third in the Championship but lost to Sunderland in stoppage time in the Championship play-off final last month.

Wilder, 57, was in his second spell in charge of his boyhood team and had been looking to guide them to promotion for a third time.

The club announced his exit was "mutually agreed", with coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge also leaving.

"I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League," Wilder said in a statement, external issued via the club.

"I'm a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change.

"I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life."

Ruben Selles led Hull to Championship survival on goal difference after taking over in December

Selles left Sheffield United's fellow Championship side Hull in May despite leading the Tigers to survival, having taken over when the club were in the bottom three.

The Spaniard previously had two caretaker stints in the Premier League with Southampton and spent 18 months in charge of Reading before taking the Hull job.

Selles' comments upon taking the Bramall Lane role hinted that rumours of Wilder being uncomfortable with AI-led recruitment models may not be far off the mark.

"This is a very powerful and ambitious project - it was very important at the start of the conversations that everyone is on the same page," Selles said.

"We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence.

"The fans can expect a team which is not going to wait or be reactive, we will be proactive, we are going to go and try and be as competitive as we can in every single game."

Sheffield United have confirmed the departure of manager Chris Wilder after failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Former Southampton, Reading and Hull City manager Ruben Selles is expected to take over at Bramall Lane.

The Blades finished third in the Championship but lost to Sunderland in stoppage time in the Championship play-off final last month.

Wilder, 57, was in his second spell in charge of his boyhood team and had been looking to guide them to promotion for a third time.

The club announced his "mutually agreed" exit on Wednesday evening, with coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge also leaving.

"I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League," Wilder said in a statement, external issued via the club.

"I'm a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change.

"I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life."

'A Blade through and through'
Wilder initially took over at Bramall Lane in May 2016 and guided them to the League One title in his first season in charge.

Promotion to the Premier League followed two years later and they finished ninth in their first season in the top flight.

However, they struggled badly the following season, and Wilder left in March 2021 with relegation inevitable.

He had spells with Middlesbrough and Watford before returning to Bramall Lane in December 2023, after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked with the Blades bottom of the Premier League.

"A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One," a club statement, external said.

"Between 2016 and 2021, he guided the club to two promotions and a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, creating an era which will go down as one of the most fondly remembered in the club's history.

"After returning to the club during a difficult period in 2023, he has provided stability and created a new team."


Wilder was unable to arrest the club's slide when he re-joined, as they ended the 2023-24 season having conceded 101 goals and accumulated just 16 points.

They started last season with a two-point deduction because of missed transfer payments in the 2022-23 campaign but challenged at the top of the division throughout.

A long-mooted takeover by American-based consortium COH Sports was completed in December, and Wilder signed a new three-year deal in January.

With seven games to go, they were two points clear at the top of the league. But they then lost three matches in eight days to Oxford United, Millwall and Plymouth Argyle.

While another defeat at Burnley - a fourth in five games - condemned them to the play-offs, despite finishing the regular season with 90 points.

They cruised into the play-off final with a thumping 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City and took the lead in the final at Wembley against the Black Cats.

A second goal was controversially ruled out by VAR - the only match in the Championship in which the system was used all season - and Sunderland came back to equalise.

Then down to 10 men temporarily, with a player off injured and all their substitutes used, Tommy Watson score a 95th-minute winner for the Black Cats.

It stretched their wretched run in the play-offs to no successes from 10 attempts and leaves them facing up to another season in the second tier.

Wilder's second stint was initially a salvage job after a disastrous summer of recruitment hindered predecessor Paul Heckingbottom.

Ultimately it didn't work, but the seeds of change were sown.

Wilder - known as being a skilled planner - set about changing the plan, and despite a slow, nervy start to the transfer window due the protracted takeover of the club, put together the makings of a good squad which amassed 90 points (92 without the deduction) that remarkably wasn't enough for automatic promotion, and ended with a defeat in the Championship play-off final.

Following that final against Sunderland three weeks ago, it's believed a split board decided to discuss a 'change in direction' last week which has ultimately led to the departure of one of United's most successful managers.

The delay in holding these talks over his future and the time it's taken to resolve the situation shows a lack of respect to Wilder, in my opinion, a lack of clarity at the top of the club, and a naivety in offering him a new three-year deal in January, when it was known significant changes to the club's methods of recruitment were coming.

Stockport County manager Dave Challinor has signed a new three-year contract with the club.

Challinor, whose existing deal was due to expire in 12 months, will now be with the Edgeley Park outfit until the summer of 2028.

The 49-year-old has been in charge of 207 games for the Hatters since joining from Hartlepool United in November 2021.

In that time, Stockport have won both the National League and League Two and they finished third in League One last season.

"Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have," he told the club's website, external.


Challinor's spell has been one of the most successful in Stockport's history with the team finishing no lower than fourth in any of the last four seasons.

He had already secured three promotions in non-league with Fylde and had taken Hartlepool into the English Football League only a few months earlier when he was appointed at Edgeley Park with the team ninth in the National League.

Six months later, in May 2022, the Hatters won the title to end an 11-year spell in non-league.

They then finished fourth in League Two 12 months later only to lose on penalties to Carlisle United at Wembley in the play-off final.

Challinor's team recovered from that to top the table in the next season, which included a record-equalling fourth tier run of 12 successive victories.

They needed little time to adjust to League One, earning a club-record 87 points at that level only to be beaten by Leyton Orient on penalties in the play-off semi-final last month.

Challinor is driven to bring Championship back to the club for the first time since 2002.

"We've had great success, excitement, ups and the odd down over this period," he said.

"Next season will undoubtedly be tougher than the last, and we have to continue to develop and move forward as a club year-on-year.

"But we still remain positive that together we can achieve what we all want, and importantly what the original plan was – Championship football."