Why Jason Tindall is not in Newcastle United dugout v Brighton amid QPR job links

Newcastle United assistant Jason Tindall will not be in the dugout on Sunday afternoon as the Magpies take on Brighton on the south coast. The 47-year-old had this week emerged as a wildcard contender for the QPR job.

R’s head coach Marti Cifuentes is on ‘gardening leave’ after it had been reported that his representatives had engaged in talks with Championship rivals West Brom. QPR chief executive Christian Nourry has labelled the situation at Loftus Road as ‘disappointing’ when confirming that Cifuentes would not be in charge against Sunderland.

The London outfit did pick up a somewhat surprising three points at the Stadium of Light thanks to a Nicolas Madsen goal but the managerial situation remains to be solved.

Why is Jason Tindall not in Newcastle United dugout against Brighton?

Having worked as caretaker boss in recent weeks with Eddie Howe undergoing treatment for pneumonia, Jason Tindall will not be in the dugout at all for the Magpies on Sunday. The North East outfit make the long journey to the AMEX Stadium to take on Brighton this weekend.

Tindall has this week emerged as a contender to replace Marti Cifuentes as head coach at QPR, despite having played down desires to be number one following his brief stint without Howe. The Newcastle United assistant is not absent against Brighton due to QPR rumours but is serving a touchline suspension.

The coach picked up a one-match ban after being shown a yellow card against Ipswich Town last time out. Tindall was booked in the second half of that game, which was his third of the season. His previous yellows came against Wolves and Brentford.

When asked about Tindall’s booking, Howe said: “Yeah, he was [booked]. It baffles me why, to be honest, because I was right there and I saw and heard everything. But to a degree, I think it's aimed purely at trying to stop Jason managing. But I was the one back in the dugout so I don't see the issue.”

Newcastle United assistant ‘unlikely’ to make Loftus Road switch

Former Lyon boss Pierre Sage and Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason remain frontrunners to take over from Marti Cifuentes at QPR. The current R’s boss had not yet been sacked or seen his contract terminated, so theoretically could return to the fold for the 2025/26 campaign.

Our sister site NewcastleWorld has claimed that it would be ‘extremely unlikely’ to see Tindall appointed at Loftus Road, despite his name being thrown into the ring last week. Speaking about whether he had desired to be number one recently, Tindall said: "That's never been my intention, it's not what I wanted at that time it was just with the circumstances the manager needed a break and work out what his next chapter should be so the opportunity came my way and it was one I couldn't turn down. It's certainly not something I've got in mind, I'm happy in my role and it's something I want to continue to do."

Howe was also asked if he was aware of the links ahead of the Brighton fixture and said: "No, I know nothing of that, that's the first I've heard of it. I certainly hope not. JT's been brilliant for me, personally. And very highly valued, yeah, so I don't want him to go anywhere. Some unusual one, transfer news with a member of staff."

In other news, Marti Cifuentes compared to Neil Warnock, Ian Holloway and other past QPR bosses after gardening leave decision.