Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers have turned their attention towards Hammarby head coach Marti Cifuentes following Gareth Ainsworth’s sacking last weekend, according to reports.
On Saturday, QPR put up a valiant fight against the runaway league-leaders Leicester City at Loftus Road but an Andre Dozzell sending off early in the second half turned the tie on its head with the game locked at 1-1.
Then, with ten minutes of normal time remaining, a cracking strike from Harry Winks sailed into the top right-hand corner, sealing the three points for the visitors and putting the final nail in Ainsworth’s coffin.
On Saturday evening, the club released a statement announcing the departure of the former Wycombe Wanderers boss, confirming poor results as the sole reason for his dismissal:
“Unfortunately, results this season haven’t gone the way we all wanted and we feel a change is necessary.”
There have been numerous reports swirling around linking different head coaches with the position. Journalist Alex Crook revealed on Sunday morning that Neil Warnock was the board’s preferred option, having managed the club previously in 2015 as caretaker.
Crook also reported that QPR had held talks with the ex-Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi who left the former at the end of his contract last summer.
However, a new name has emerged as a candidate to take charge of the Hoops. As reported by Mike McGrath from The Telegraph, Hammarby manager Marti Cifuentes is being looked at by the hierarchy as Ainsworth’s potential replacement in the dugout.
Spanish coach Martà Cifuentes is a contender for the #QPR job. Has impressed at Hammarby in Sweden where he has led his club to European football.
As reported by @JBurtTelegraph the club have targeted Neil Warnock during their recruitment process in the last days— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) October 30, 2023
Cifuentes guided his Swedish side to European football, reaching the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League this season before being knocked out by Eredivisie team FC Twente.
The Spanish coach was previously a candidate for the Hearts job in Scotland back in June and even held talks with the club but Steven Naismith was handed the ropes instead.
Writer’s View
Cifuentes is an excellent coach. His Hammarby side have consistently played some of the best football in Sweden’s top-flight during his time in the hot seat.
However, this appointment would be a risk given how little time Cifuentes would have between games to implement his style of play and change the club’s tactical blueprint that was put in place by Ainsworth.
