Top Championship boss could quit as two jobs open up after fallout with CEO (2025)

The vacancies at West Brom and Norwich could interest Marti Cifuentes, who has grown frustrated with his situation at QPR, where he has clashed with chief executive Christian Nourry

QPR manager Marti Cifuentes could jump ship to another Championship club due to widespread frustrations behind the scenes. Cifuentes is reportedly considering his options after steering QPR clear of relegation for the second straight season.

The west London side are 15th in the Championship with two matches to play and have turned their attention towards planning for the summer. Cifuentes joined QPR in October 2023 and has become popular with supporters, having achieved decent results under difficult circumstances.

But there are now concerns that the 42-year-old could be tempted by rival clubs, with vacancies open at Norwich and West Brom. Norwich sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup and the Baggies parted company with Tony Mowbray on Easter Monday and Cifuentes could become a candidate for the jobs.

The Sun reports that he is frustrated with QPR chief executive Christian Nourry, who was hired in January 2024 to oversee recruitment. Nourry previously helped advise the club’s ownership as part of the football strategy group Retexo and has assumed a lot of power in recent years.

Rangers have not appointed a director of football since Les Ferdinand left the club in June 2023 and Cifuentes reportedly has been disappointed by the signings Nourry oversaw.

The Spanish manager has also been vocal in his belief that QPR have suffered too many injuries and there is reportedly frustrations with the club's medical staff. Things appear to be building up ahead of a planned end-of-season meeting between Cifuentes and Nourry.

“I need to sit with Christian and decide what is the plan. What does he want? And what is the idea?” Cifuentes said after the 2-1 defeat by Swansea on the weekend. “Obviously I have my thoughts and my ideas on how we can improve.”

He added: “QPR as a club has amazing potential. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. The fantastic training ground that we’ve got, the location [of Loftus Road], the history and also the identity and style of football that this club has played in the past, which fits very well into my idea, and I think there is a solid foundation to take bigger steps.

“What we have achieved this season is remarkable. It’s a big achievement, especially given how difficult it has been (with injuries), but I think the foundation for next season is good.

“It’s just about taking the right decisions. It’s always going to be difficult against teams with parachute payments coming down from the Premier League. We need to find the ‘edge’ to take this next step.

“The supporters as well, since I came here, amazing support, but I would like to give them something else and not just celebrate another season in the Championship. It’s not easy, but I think there is the potential to take the next step.”

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