Next QPR Manager: 'Perfect' candidate emerges amid fresh Marti Cifuentes claim

QPR are considering a move for Plymouth Argyle manager Miron Muslic as a potential candidate to replace Marti Cifuentes at Loftus Road this summer.

That’s according to EFL Analysis, who claim that the 42-year-old is the ‘perfect’ option to take over from Cifuentes. The current QPR boss was placed on ‘gardening leave’ prior to the final match of the Championship season against Sunderland.

That decision came amid reports of a breakdown in relationship with QPR chief executive Christian Nourry and behind-the-scenes talks with West Brom over a move to The Hawthorns. Cifuentes could still return to his role but EFL Analysis adds that the London outfit sees ‘no way back’ for the Catalan coach.

QPR see ‘no way back’ for Marti Cifuentes

It’s added that any QPR move for Muslic, who only took over at Home Park in January, would come with the need to pay a substantial compensation fee. When asked about his future earlier this month, Muslic told BBC Sport: “I’m empty – we are relegated for seven or eight days, believe me I’m empty. I don’t have the power right now to think about a potential future because that takes a lot of focus, a lot of concentration and a lot of energy.

“I don’t have this energy right now, I need to go back to my family to see them, to recharge, to breathe and we have enough time to think about the future.”

Plymouth Argyle finished the Championship season 23rd and will play in League One next term. The club were three points off safety but Muslic has still earned the praise of former Stoke City and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis.

Plymouth Argyle boss praised amid Loftus Road links

The veteran manager told the Plymouth Herald: “Miron Muslic came in and he's got them organised. They played a lot more through the pitch quickly and he brought strength through the middle of the team. They become a lot more solid, but always a goal threat with pace up front.

"I was impressed with the way they actually finished the season. I had six months, seven months down at Plymouth and it's a fantastic area and a fantastic football club and they've done wonders there. The owner (Simon Hallett) has actually turned the football club around.

"He spent a lot of money on the stadium, on the training facilities. It's a massive area. It's a massive area for that football club. If they get anything going, any momentum at all, the support was fabulous. Fingers crossed, they will bounce back because the football club is a really good football team. A football club with lovely people down there as well. Really good friends I've kept in touch with."

It’s unknown how much Plymouth Argyle would demand in compensation to allow Muslic to return to the Championship and whether QPR have the finances to make that a reality. Other frontrunners for the role include former Lyon boss Pierre Sage and ex Wolves man Gary O’Neil.

In other news, QPR and Stoke City in £5m transfer battle as Millwall confirm contract breakthrough.