QPR Boss Cifuentes Exits Club Amidst Managerial Shuffle

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have parted ways with head coach Marti Cifuentes, with Frenchman Julien Stephan set to take his place. The Spaniard, 42, was put on gardening leave following the Hoops' 5-0 defeat against Burnley in April and will leave Loftus Road after a two-year tenure.

Cifuentes replaced Gareth Ainsworth in October 2023, with QPR second from bottom in the Championship. He managed to guide the club to safety for a second consecutive season, securing an 18th-place finish with a 4-0 win over Leeds United.

However, QPR's form dipped towards the end of the season, with Cifuentes winning just two of his last 12 matches in charge. Injuries to key players, including Jake Clarke-Salter, Ilias Chair, and Jack Colback, as well as long-term absences for strikers Michael Frey and Zan Celar, affected the team's performance.

Despite the difficulties, Cifuentes expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to manage QPR and wished the club well for the future. He is expected to be replaced by Stephan, who previously coached Rennes and Strasbourg.

Source: BBC Sports Football