Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes has reaffirmed his commitment to the club in an interview with Sky Sports following speculation linking him with a move away from Loftus Road.
The Spaniard has been rumoured as a contender for a number of Championship jobs this summer including the vacancies at Burnley and Sunderland, the latter of which has now been filled by the appointment of former Lorient manager Regis Le Bris.
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Commenting on the speculation he said, “It means people value what you are doing. But this was a team effort. I am very focused on QPR and excited about the future.”
Queens Park Rangers have been resurgent under the 41-year-old since his appointment in October, at which point the R’s were languishing in the relegation zone after narrowly avoiding the drop in 2022/23 under former manager Gareth Ainsworth who Cifuentes replaced.
The Hoops appointed Cifuentes following a spell in Scandinavia where he most recently managed Swedish side Hammarby IF to European qualification, and that success has translated itself to the English game.
Despite an 18th-placed finish, had the season started on the date of Cifuentes’ appointment, the West London outfit would have finished comfortably in the top half of the league, picking up 48 points in 32 games under Catalonia-born Cifuentes.
As well as the obvious change in results, Cifuentes also dramatically altered the team’s style of play, going from defensive football under Ainsworth to possession-heavy tactics under the new boss, which allowed the likes of Ilias Chair and Chris Willock to thrive. If QPR manage to keep Cifuentes in the long-term, as well as some of their star men, the only way is up at Loftus Road.
Writer’s View
This is news that will be music to the ears of Queens Park Rangers fans. The R’s have been a different team under Cifuentes, returning to attacking football and climbing up the table after a difficult couple of years.
If the Spaniard stays long term the sky is the limit at Loftus Road, and as he enters into his first summer transfer window at the club, there is cause for significant excitement in West London.
