QPR plunged into chaos for Sunderland clash with Cifuentes decision
Rangers will head to the North Eaast without manager Marti Cifuentes
Sunderland’s next opponents Queens Park Rangers have been plunged into chaos ahead of the Championship clash on Saturday. Their head coach Marti Cifuentes has been placed on gardening leave amid interest from West Brom.
The Baggies have identified Cifuentes as one of their top managerial targets after surprisingly sacking former Sunderland and Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray last week. Cifuentes’ representatives are said to have held talks with Baggies, and QPR have now responded by placing the manager on gardening leave.
In a statement, the club said: “Assistant coaches Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis and prepare the squad for our final fixture of the 2024/25 campaign against Sunderland.”
QPR’s chief executive Christian Nourry said: “This is naturally a disappointing situation for everyone concerned. I fully understand and appreciate supporters’ frustrations at this time. As a club, we are working to ensure this matter is resolved as swiftly as possible so we can start preparations in earnest for the future.”
Cifuentes was appointed at Loftus Road in October, 2023, when Rangers were rock bottom of the Championship and six point adrift of safety. He signed a new long-term contract at QPR last September so the Baggies would have to pay compensation for the Spaniard’s services.
QPR are 15th in the Championship table and head for Wearside on Saturday having won just two of their last 12 games. They were thumped 5-0 by Burnley last time out, after which Cifuentes was defiant.
