Stephan insists QPR have ‘real potential’ despite poor end to season

Julien Stephan insisted the future can be brighter for QPR despite a miserable end to an arguably disappointing season.

Rangers ended an injury-hit campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich – their fourth consecutive loss – but the head coach claimed that the club is making good progress.

“For the club it’s really important now to think about the future, because there is real potential in this club,” he said.

“Good project, top fans, good management, top CEO, top owners, good mentality in the dressing room. We have some good foundations.

“But if we want to have some success in the long term, we have to build on that, and one of the main things next season will be to have players available on the pitch more times – that will be really important.

“We will continue to develop some young players as well, because that’s part of the project.

“Let’s continue on that, but of course we need as well some experienced players, mature players, because it’s a long journey.”

Rangers finished 15th in the Championship table – the same as last season.

They ended with two points more than last term but the more significant difference was that there was never any real threat of relegation this time around.

“I think the players showed some improvement to last season,” said Stephan.

“We stayed in the league earlier this season, but it doesn’t mean it’s enough if we want to continue to be ambitious.

“Don’t consider that we’re happy just to be better than last season. No. It’s not my mentality and it’s not the mentality in the club.

“Continue to build and take good decisions.”