Marti Cifuentes dealt second blow in less than 24 hours after QPR boss was tipped to become new West Brom manager

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The Championship managerial merry-go-round continues to throw up new twists and turns ahead of the final day.

Tony Mowbray was sacked by West Brom last week after his side were beaten 3-1 by Derby County, a result which ended their hopes of finishing in the Championship playoffs, while Omer Riza was axed by Cardiff City, who have now been relegated to League One.

Norwich City also relieved Johannes Hoff Thorup of his duties while placing Jack Wilshere in temporary charge of the Canaries.

EFL Analysis has since exclusively revealed that Norwich want Wilshere to become their permanent manager after an impressive start to life at Carrow Road.

But whilst the future is looking bright for the ex-Arsenal midfielder, current QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has just been dealt his second blow in the space of 24 hours.

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Marti Cifuentes not on West Brom’s shortlist to replace Tony Mowbray

On Saturday, QPR were beaten 5-0 by Burnley, and after the game, Cifuentes spoke about his future controversially, stating: “I said before that as long as I’m wanted, I’m very happy.”

Cifuentes has since been placed on gardening leave by QPR, who will be managed by assistant coaches Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm for their final game of the season against Sunderland this weekend.

The Spaniard has done a brilliant job since taking over at Loftus Road in October 2023, and his stock rose after guiding the R’s from the threat of relegation to an 18th place finish last season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
13	WatfordWatford	45	16	8	21	52	60	-8	56
14	NorwichNorwich	45	13	15	17	67	66	1	54
15	QPRQPR	45	13	14	18	52	63	-11	53
16	PortsmouthPortsmouth	45	14	11	20	57	70	-13	53
17	Oxford UnitedOxford United	45	13	13	19	46	62	-16	52

As it stands, QPR are in 15th place and mathematically safe from going down, with multiple clubs said to be looking at the 42-year-old.

West Brom are looking for a new manager to replace Mowbray, and speculation emerged that Cifuentes could take over at the Hawthorns.

However, those rumours have now been shut down by journalist John Percy, who has stated that the QPR manager isn’t on the Baggies’ shortlist currently.

• READ MORE: Alex Neil must replicate Neil Harris miracle to secure Championship play-off place for Millwall vs Burnley

What Cifuentes wants after QPR job

It remains to be seen where Cifuentes ends up, although there appears to be no way back for the Spaniard at QPR.

“I’m an ambitious person in the sense that I always push myself. I always want to improve. I have a contract and I want to keep improving,” Cifuentes said after the defeat to Burnley. “I enjoy my job here, enjoy English football, and am ready for more.

“I’ve said that the support from the fans that I’ve got this season, in very difficult moments, is something that I have never seen before and will stay with me forever.

“That’s why I’m very sad today. Today hurts. It doesn’t define what this team has done this season and it’s very sad to finish that way.”

The above comments suggest Cifuentes wants to manage a side who are at least battling for the play-offs and is backed financially by the board.