Cifuentes ‘could stay at QPR’ in shock turn of events as West Brom talks truth emerge
West Brom have been linked with QPR manager Marti Cifuentes in recent days, with the saga taking a couple of surprising twists.
West Brom parted ways with manager Tony Mowbray, and are now seeking out a replacement who can help them push for promotion next season.
Cifuentes did a superb job with QPR as he kept them up comfortably, and he could now move further up the Championship table.
The Spaniard was ruled out of contention for the West Brom job despite talks, but his situation is now even more complicated.
Cifuentes future takes a twist amid West Brom links
Cifuentes is currently on gardening leave as he prepares to leave QPR, with the 42-year-old pushing for an exit following the initial West Brom links.
However, with it now unlikely that he will join West Brom, it has been reported by EFL Analysis (May 1), that Cifuentes could yet end up staying at Loftus Road.
A U-turn has certainly not been ruled out as Cifuentes assesses his options, and he did engage in talks with West Brom over the opportunity to replace Mowbray, despite reports to the contrary.
Cifuentes was unhappy with QPR’s transfer plans, and his talks with West Brom and others caused problems behind the scenes, which will likely lead to his exit, barring a shock turnaround.
Did West Brom dodge a bullet with Cifuentes?
The work Cifuentes has done at QPR has shown that he could have been a strong appointment further up the table at West Brom.
However, his move to QPR from Hammarby in Sweden saw him fall out with his club over transfer strategy, and he has now burned a lot of bridges at Loftus Road.
West Brom elected not to hire him after talks, and perhaps this came into their thinking if they are seeking out a coach to help secure promotion.
Should Cifuentes fall out with his next club, West Brom may look back on their decision to not appoint him as a bullet dodged, but it remains to be seen who they may target instead.