Marti Cifuentes: You're cooking at QPR and must reject West Brom despite adversity - opinion

It’s panic stations among QPR fans right now. The R’s faithful just saw their side get battered 5-0 by Burnley in their last home fixture of the Championship season and head coach Marti Cifuentes is linked with an exit from the club.

It’s a frustrating end to a frustrating campaign. The London outfit endured a poor start to the year, winning just one of their first 16 league outings, and then suddenly looked capable of challenging for play-offs after a strong run of form over the winter. That rampage up the table then fell apart with a seven match winless run in March that resulted in Cifuentes’ side fighting to avoid a relegation scrap.

QPR have since confirmed their Championship survival and, with that drama over, reports over Cifuentes’ future have started to circle. The Sun has claimed that the Catalan coach could leave the club after a ‘breakdown’ in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry and now it’s reported the manager’s representatives have begun discussions with managerless West Brom.

There’s plenty of reason for Cifuentes to be tempted by West Brom. The Baggies were promotion contenders for most of the season and compatriot Carlos Corberan excelled at the club. Yet, Marti must know he is cooking something up at Loftus Road that deserves at least another campaign.

The Good News: Marti Cifuentes pledges commitment to QPR

While it’s been an underwhelming season, Cifuentes remains loved in west London. The head coach is a class character and a pair of trusty hands in the face of difficulty. The positive for now is that he has pledged his commitment to the club.

Speaking about his future following defeat to Burnley, Cifuentes reassured the club that ‘as long as I’m wanted, I’m very happy’. He added that he was ‘enjoying’ life at QPR and wanted to honour his contract.

The biggest triumph of Cifuentes’ tenure is his work with youth players. Keiran Moran, Rayan Kolli and Alfie Lloyd are three who are blossoming and are just taking the first steps in their professional careers while Emmerson Sutton reportedly rejected Premier League interest to commit his future to QPR this year.

There’s no doubting those players’ huge potential and Cifuentes is aware of that. Speaking after the defeat to Swansea City, he said: “It’s about finding the right moment to let the young players show up, grow and learn the big step from the Development Squad to professional. It’s about setting the foundation to succeed in the future.

“We have seen the big steps that Kieran Morgan and even Rayan Kolli have made. Alfie Lloyd is another one, there’s a lot of young players that for me, when we have round ups of the season, for me that will be one of the best things of the season - that we now have a foundation at the club for young players. The club is in a much better position for the future.”

Cifuentes will surely find it hard to abandon future stars who are excelling under his stewardship. Another reason for the 42-year-old to stay at Loftus Road is the new blood to arrive this summer.

League One top scorer Charlie Kelman is to return from his loan at Leyton Orient and the very highly-rated Jaylan Pearman has already agreed a move from Perth Glory. January signing Harvey Vale is still to kick a ball since joining from Chelsea due to injury and fellow winter arrival Esquerdinha is dazzling with the Development Squad.

The Bad News: West Brom could offer escape from injury farce

So, why would Cifuentes want to leave? According to The Sun, a breakdown in relationship with Nourry could be the reason behind that and Cifuentes has alluded to cryptic talks with the chief executive this month.

After the Swansea City match, he said: “I need to sit with Christian and we need to decide and see what is the plan and what does he want and what is the idea. I've been very focused on trying to achieve the target and obviously have my thoughts and my ideas on how we can improve.”

Nourry must make it clear that Cifuentes is valued at Loftus Road. Ultimately, if that relationship doesn’t improve, Cifuentes heading to West Brom is the best for all parties - Nourry can change the manager without the controversy of a sacking and Cifuentes can move on from a potentially toxic environment.

He must also provide the head coach with reassurance that something will be done to avoid the circus of injuries that has plagued the squad and stopped progress this season.

That has been such a constant source of frustration for Cifuentes and likely a big motivating factor in being tempted by rivals. The QPR head coach has always remained calm in the face of struggles but, when speaking about the injury farce, has regularly come across as bemused this term.

Last week, when asked if the injuries had been bad luck, he said: “Generally in life, I don’t believe much in luck or bad luck. There is nothing you can do about Sam Field getting a tackle, that’s part of the game. All of the contact injuries, if you want to say, is bad luck. This happens.

“We perhaps have to review other areas and definitely I think we are going to do that internally. It’s the first time ever in my career that I’ve experienced something like this.”

You can’t blame Marti Cifuentes for wanting to leave QPR but the good work he has done perhaps may outweigh the bad.

In other news, QPR beat Blackburn Rovers to transfer & deploy ex-Chelsea man in starting XI next season if rumours are true.