Marti Cifuentes has grown many notches as a coach since he led Sandefjord from May 2018 to December 2020. There has been speculation about the Spaniard’s future at QPR, and recently he has been linked with Championship rivals West Bromwich.
Queens Park Rangers have put manager Marti Cifuentes on “guarding leave” just days before the club’s final Championship game of the season.
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Assistant coaches Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm will temporarily take charge of the first team as they prepare for the away game at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland on Saturday.
QPR CEO Christian Nourry said in the press release: “This is obviously a disappointing situation for everyone involved. I fully understand and appreciate the frustrations of the supporters at this time. As a club, we are working to ensure that this matter is resolved as quickly as possible, so that we can start preparations for the future.
The decision comes after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Burnley, which left QPR in 15th place in the table.
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Before the game, Cifuentes was asked about his future, and he then said that it was important that he and the club were on the same wavelength.
After the game, the 42-year-old Spanish coach said:
“I said earlier that as long as I am wanted, I am very happy.
Cifuentes joined QPR from Swedish club Hammarby to replace Gareth Ainsworth in October 2023, when the team was second bottom of the Championship table.
He led the club to an 18th place finish after three wins at the end of last season.
However, he has since been linked with a move away from Loftus Road after an uneven season, with West Brom being the latest club he has been linked with.
We know very well what “guarding leave” means, we have seen the latest from Marti Cifuentes at QPR.
