'Talks Held': QPR boss Marti Cifuentes wanted by Championship rivals amid West Brom and Norwich City links

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is a target for a rival Championship club with it now confirmed that the head coach’s representatives have held talks over a potential move.

There had been speculation in The Sun this week that the Catalan coach could take over one of the vacant roles at Norwich City or West Brom. Sky Sports carried reports of the talks but did not name which Championship outfit is courting Cifuentes and confirmed that QPR have not been approached to green light formal talks yet.

On Sunday afternoon, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth said: “A bit of breaking news to bring you from the Championship and it concerns QPR. Sky Sports News understands that representatives of QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes have held talks this week with another Championship club over becoming their boss next season.

“It’s our understanding that talks have not reached a stage where formal permission has been requested to QPR to speak to Marti Cifuentes. Sky Sports News has approached QPR for comment but they are not commenting at this stage. Publicly, Cifuentes has been talking about his plans for QPR next season.”

Marti Cifuentes committed to QPR contract

QPR have confirmed their place in the Championship for next season, surviving a potential relegation dogfight after a disappointing run of form to finish the season. Cifuentes was asked about his future following Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Burnley at Loftus Road and said: “I said before that as long as I’m wanted, I’m very happy.

“In any case I am very calm about the job I have done and the fact that we have achieved what were difficult targets. 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. I enjoy my job here, enjoy English football, and am ready for more.”

QPR boss linked with West Brom and Norwich City

West Brom parted ways with Tony Mowbray after just three months last week and Norwich City sacked head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup five days too. Cifuentes was appointed at Loftus Road in October 2023, following on from Gareth Ainsworth.

Cifuentes has always pledged his commitment to QPR when asked but did point towards talks with chief executive Christian Nourry in the coming weeks. Speaking after the defeat to Swansea City, he said: “I need to sit with Christian and we need to decide and see what is 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.

“I said many times for me QPR as a club has an amazing potential and that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here because I feel that, with a fantastic training ground that we have, the location, the history, the identity, the style of football at this club has played in the past and and it feels very well into my idea. I think that this is a very solid foundation on which to take, bigger steps.”

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