Middlesbrough are not considering Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes as Michael Carrick’s successor, according to The Northern Echo.
The Teessiders are on the prowl for a new head coach after parting company with Carrick last week. This followed an end-of-season review which concluded that after missing out on the play-offs for the second successive year, a new face will be required to lead the team forward.
A host of names have been linked to the position, ranging from former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. A new name emerged as a potential candidate yesterday when it was claimed that QPR’s Marti Cifuentes was of interest.
The 42-year-old is currently on gardening leave at Loftus Road, having been relieved of his duties in April following reports that his representatives had held talks with division rivals West Bromwich Albion.
Cifuentes Rumours Debunked
It has now been claimed that Boro have no interest in appointing the Spaniard. Journalist Scott Wilson stated yesterday that he is not currently under consideration, alongside Steven Gerrard.
🔴 #Boro just about ready to move for a preferred candidate – and it’s not going to be Steven Gerrard or Marti Cifuentes (from @DomShawEcho)…
Read here…⬇️https://t.co/T8QhrLnIRY
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) June 9, 2025
It is said that the club have been inundated with interest and hope to conduct interviews this week, naming Rob Edwards and Cooper as those that have their admirers at the Riverside Stadium. However, the latter appeared to rule himself out of the running immediately following Carrick’s dismissal.
The report also states that Gary O’Neil and Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl could be in the running. The German has allegedly caught the eye of the Boro hierarchy following the excellent work he has done at Hillsborough in stabilising the Owls’ position in the Championship.
Writer’s View
The Cifuentes links were always speculative at best. His situation at Queens Park Rangers remains unresolved and it would be a messy deal to conduct. Although he has done a good job at the Hoops, Middlesbrough were always likely to target someone with a little more experience in the division and it’s no surprise to see both Rob Edwards and Steve Cooper head the queue. The pair have both achieved promotion in the Championship, with Luton Town and Nottingham Forest respectively. Rohl may not have done the same but performed miracles to keep Sheffield Wednesday in the division a year ago.
