Marti Cifuentes: QPR place manager on gardening leave amid West Brom links | OneFootball

Spaniard set for Loftus Road exit having been lined up for potential move to Championship rivals

In demand: QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has been linked with the vacant managerial posts at both Norwich and West Brom

Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

QPR have placed manager Marti Cifuentes on gardening leave amid strong links to the vacant West Brom job.

Cifuentes’ position at Loftus Road had become subject to significant doubt after he was mentioned in connection with the managerial openings at second-tier rivals Norwich and West Brom, who are both looking for new bosses after sacking Johannes Hoff Thorup and Tony Mowbray respectively in recent weeks.

Links to West Brom have grown stronger in the last few days, with reports that the Spaniard is the top target to take over at The Hawthorns.

“Martí Cifuentes has been placed on gardening leave,” QPR said in a statement on their official website.

“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 CEO 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.”

After an impressive two-year spell in charge at Swedish club Hammarby and a varied coaching career involving stints in Spain, Norway and Denmark, Cifuentes arrived at struggling QPR in October 2023 as a replacement for sacked club legend Gareth Ainsworth.

He guided the Rs away from relegation danger and to an 18th-place finish in the Championship.

QPR are not in danger of slipping into League One this season either despite Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing at home to promoted Burnley, sitting 15th in the table and five points above the bottom three with only that weekend trip to the Stadium of Light to come.