Queens Park Rangers

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QPR captain Steve Cook will remain at Loftus Road next season after the club activated an extension in his contract.

The 34-year-old has made 69 appearances since joining the Rs from Nottingham Forest in 2023, scoring four goals.

Cook was a key member of Marti Cifuentes' squad as the side finished 15th in the Championship this season, playing 31 times in the league.

Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave after the Hoops' final home game of the season, a 5-0 defeat to Burnley.

"I love playing for QPR – especially at Loftus Road with the atmosphere," Cook told the club's website, external.

"It's been a rollercoaster, but I have loved every minute I've been at the club and I'm delighted to be able to stay here.

"I think I've still got a lot to offer, on and off the pitch. I've grown as a person at the club, trying to help out around the place with a lot of the younger players as well."

Cook made 388 appearances across 11 seasons with Bournemouth as the south coast club rose from League One to the Premier League.

Sunderland will aim to end their winless run against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday (12:30 BST) before embarking on their play-off campaign.

The Black Cats have not won any of their past five league games, losing the most recent four.

It's a concerning run for a side who once led the league at the beginning of the season and now, having spent most it in fourth place, enter the knock-out rounds out of form.

They will hope to find some to carry forward when they host QPR, who will be without boss Marti Cifuentes.

• Sunderland are unbeaten across their last five league games against QPR (W2 D3), scoring exactly three goals in each of those victories.

• QPR have won just one of their last 10 away league games against Sunderland (D6 L3), a 2-0 victory in February 2015, though the Londoners are unbeaten across their last five visits to the Stadium of Light (W1 D4).

• Sunderland have won just one of their last seven final games of a league season when its come on home soil (D1 L5), a 3-0 victory over Wolves in 2018.

• QPR lost just one of their last six games on the final day of a league campaign (W4 D1), winning their last 2-1 vs Coventry City in 2023-24.

• Sunderland have won 21 of their 45 games in the Championship this season (D13 L11), their most victories in a second tier campaign since 2006-07 (27).

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We asked you what you thought of Marti Cifuentes' time at QPR and you have answered in your droves.

The 42-year-old was placed on gardening leave on Tuesday.

There has been lots of support for the Spaniard from Hoops fans but it's not all positive.

Have a read of some of the best responses here.

Andrew: There have been moments when his tactics and the players on the park that day clicked and things looked great. Sadly not often enough and with limited spending power might be the time for a year or two of a Championship pragmatist in charge (sad to lose flair but nobody wants relegation do they?)

Joel: I think that there is so much going on behind the scenes that it's hard to tell who's at fault. Through thick and thin, the fans have stood by him and he's given us so many good memories, none more so than the excellent run we went on from November to February. However, reports are flying in left, right and centre, some saying the club haven't done enough to help with his needs to help improve, some say he has spoken to other clubs before this season.

All us QPR fans want is some stability and clarification for the club's future next season. With the window fast approaching, it's important to have a manager in that wants to be here and has time to build.

Glenn: The owners and board are toxic. He's a decent manager working under difficult conditions. Keep Marti, QPR need to take a close look at what's really wrong.

Will: Simply put, he did a great job keeping us from relegation with a terrible squad not suited to this league at all. The board have completely mishandled this situation and now stand to gain little to no compensation from the current situation. Another summer of eight or nine players coming in and taking the whole year to adapt to the league is on the cards here.

David: Did an amazing job to avoid relegation last season and at times this season showed what he was capable of, despite very limited resources. Will be a shame to see him go. The board and owners shouldn't have allowed it to come to this. The club continues to be horrendously run and change at the top is needed.

'Best manager we've had in a decade'

Nicolas: I am shocked that Marti has been placed on gardening leave. He has been one the most popular ever manager with the fans, who acknowledge and understand that his time at the club has been hugely impacted by a horrendous and ongoing list of injuries. The fans were certainly not calling for a change, quite the opposite. The key question is "Why has he been placed on gardening leave with last game of the season coming up at the weekend ?" The supporters would like and deserve an explanation.

Peter: My emotions are mixed. I feel like he has been very consistent recently and that makes me feel like we should get behind him and keep improving. But conceding five goals against Burnley is not good. Yes it would be a tough game no matter what, but that was abysmal. If QPR want to get back to the Premier League let's say in three to five years, we need to change next season.

Jason: The team during his time in charge was poor, the points tally has not improved, the football inconsistent. But I do feel that we are slowly going forward and a shame to for him to go.

Ron: Should keep him, and get rid of all the rest above him. We used to be a great little club. Now we're Queens Park Rubbish instead of Queens Park Rangers.

Jon: Did well last season and apparently touted himself for other jobs last summer off the back of it. Bang average this season however.

Doesn't want to be at QPR so hopefully replaced ASAP.

Stephen: Here we go again! We are a very average side and we have to except we have financial restraints. We have done well to survive in the Championship. If the name Wayne Rooney is mentioned, we can really say goodbye to the Championship!

Kev: If it weren't for MC we would already be languishing in League One the state we were in ….yes we plucked him out of of obscurity but it's worked for both sides. If it really is goodbye then fair dos but can't say I'm not disappointed how it's come about.

Jason: Best manager we've had in a decade. Hope he wasn't pushed out. Understandable we have to limit his funds, but really do we have to have key staff based in Dubai. With so many injuries MC had a point to complain, it's basically stopped us getting somewhere near or in the play-offs. Think again board, you won't find another opportunity like Marti anytime soon.

Melvin: Been a Rs fan for over 50 years, same old story get a good manager - CEO has a falling out with him.

Don't they realise the club is more important than trivial squabbles? They did the same to Neil Warnock after we got in the Premier League, replaced him with Mark Hughes and we all know what happened there - a disaster.

The board should wake up and think of the club and fans, they won't get anybody better than Marti.

Image source, PA Media

With Marti Cifuentes seemingly heading for the Loftus Road exit door, now seems like the right time to ask - what do you make of his time in charge?

The ex-Hammarby boss's last game in charge was a 5-0 drubbing at home to Premier League-bound Burnley, and the club announced on Tuesday he had been placed on gardening leave.

Cifuentes, 42, replaced Gareth Ainsworth as head coach in October 2023 and steered the west London club clear of relegation.

His second season at the helm has seen ups and downs and several injuries to important players at key times.

Last season's 4-0 battering of Leeds United, which secured safety for the Rs and contributed towards the Whites missing out on automatic promotion, was one of the highlights.

Fans have regularly chanted his name through good and bad at Loftus Road but Saturday's limp loss to the Clarets looks like it could prove a sad end to his chapter with the club as both sides look set to move on.

Should the club be doing all they can to keep him? Or does it feel like the right time for a change?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is not on West Bromwich Albion's shortlist for their head coach vacancy, reports BBC Radio WM, external.

The Spaniard, who was put on gardening leave by Rangers last night, has been linked with The Hawthorns - replacing Tony Mowbray - and also the job at Norwich City.

According to BBC Radio WM, West Brom have not offered the job to anyone and are "continuing with their recruitment process".

Cifuentes was appointed as QPR boss in October 2023, replacing Gareth Ainsworth, and led them to Championship safety, having taken over when they were second from bottom.

After another slow start this season, the Londoners are 15th in the table and will have assistant coaches Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm in charge for their final game of the campaign at Sunderland on Saturday.

"This is naturally a disappointing situation for everyone concerned," said QPR chief executive Christian Nourry.

"As a club, we are working to ensure this matter is resolved as swiftly as possible so we can start preparations in earnest for the future."

Tony Mowbray was sacked by West Brom last week after getting only five wins in 18 league games, ending their play-off hopes.

James Morrison remains as interim head coach for their last game of the season at home against Luton on Saturday.

Image source, PA Media

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes said after his side's 5-0 defeat to Burnley:

"I said before that as long as I'm wanted, I'm very happy.

"The way the fans have been supporting me, it makes me feel that I want to give them something back even more than the last two seasons.

"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.

"I've said that the support from the fans that I've got this season, in very difficult moments, is something that I have never seen before and will stay with me forever.

"That's why I'm very sad today. Today hurts. It doesn't define what this team has done this season and it's very sad to finish that way."

Image source, PA Media

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes said it was important he and the club were aligned when asked about his future.

Cifuentes has been linked with a move away from Loftus Road after an inconsistent season, with QPR's best possible finish no higher than 12th with two fixtures left.

The Spaniard moved to QPR from Swedish club Hammarby to replace Gareth Ainsworth in October 2023 with the team second from bottom in the Championship table.

He steered the club to an 18th-placed finish with three wins at the end of last season.

QPR sit 15th going into their remaining games against Burnley, who have been promoted, on Saturday and Sunderland, who are assured of a spot in the play-offs, on the final day of the season.

"For me, it's very natural to sit with the owners, the CEO in that case, to do a balance – as I will do with my players, as I will do with my staff," Cifuentes told BBC Radio London.

"So in this moment I think this is when you have to review the things that have gone well, the things that might be improved, and then align for what's next."

Having secured automatic promotion, Burnley will continue the battle for the title when they visit Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Clarets won promotion after defeating rivals Sheffield United on Monday but now turn their attentions to winning the league.

They are currently in second place but level on points with Leeds United, bested only by goal difference.

However the title is not the only thing the Lancashire side are vying for, they could also match Reading's unbeaten Championship record if they keep themselves undefeated across their final two league games.

• QPR have won just one of their last seven home league games against Burnley (D3 L3), a 2-0 victory in the Premier League in December 2014.

• Burnley have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league games against QPR, with the exception being a 2-1 home loss in April 2023.

• After winning seven of their eight home league games between December and February (L1), QPR are now winless in their last five at Loftus Road (D3 L2).

• Burnley are unbeaten in their last 31 league games (W20 D11). It's their longest run in their league history, while only Reading (33 in 2005-06) have had a longer run in a single second tier campaign.

• Burnley have conceded just 15 goals in the Championship this season, despite having an xG against figure of 36.3. Their record of conceding 21 goals fewer than their xGA suggests is at least 10 more than any other side this season.

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could look to depart the club in the summer following a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry. (The Sun, external)

Want more? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

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Winning their final two games is the only target for QPR, according to boss Marti Cifuentes.

The Spaniard had previously targeted surpassing last season's points total of 56 and the Rs are one win away from matching that.

QPR finish the season at home to already-promoted Burnley on Saturday (12:30 BST) before a trip to play-off bound Sunderland on 3 May.

"The goal will be to try to finish the season with 59 points - it's two games left and the goal is to win them both," Cifuentes told BBC Radio London.

"It's going to be demanding but we want to finish in a good way especially at home to give a good performance, hopefully a last win and three points for our fans."

The Londoners have won two of their past four games but were beaten 2-1 at home by in-form Swansea City on Easter Monday.

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Queen's Park Rangers manager Marti Cifuentes has praised his side's tactical awareness following their dramatic away win at Preston North End.

The Rs responded to Liam Lindsay's goal - scored at the end of the first half - thanks to strikes from substitutes Michael Frey and Lucas Andersen, with the latter's winner hitting the top left corner in the third minute of stoppage time.

"I'm really happy for the guys because it's not easy to win here," Cifuentes told BBC Radio London.

"They've only lost two games in the whole season [before match at home] and it's not an easy team to play against.

"We spoke during the last week that it would be an uncomfortable game to play because of the way they do.

"[They are] a very physical team, they defend very aggressively, man-to-man almost all over the pitch.

"It's about using the space in behind. I think the first 35-40 minutes we did pretty well to use this space and gaps in behind but unfortunately we couldn't take - in my opinion - what would have been a deserved lead because we were creating some chances.

"At half-time we spoke about changing a couple of things, changing the formation to allow us to press a little bit more aggressively higher up the pitch, a bit more on the front foot and I think that changed the dynamic of the game."

Both these sides should, in theory, have a relatively stress-free end to the season with Queens Park Rangers sitting on the magical 50-points mark and Preston just one point off it.

The two sides meet at Deepdale on Friday (15:00 BST) having both taken six points from their past six games.

• Preston have lost each of their past two home league games against QPR, one more than in their previous 16 games (W8 D7).

• QPR have won five of their past seven league games against Preston (L2), including each of their previous three encounters with the Lilywhites.

• Preston are unbeaten in their past eight home league games on Good Friday (W4 D4), beating Rotherham 3-0 at Deepdale last season.

• Since a 1-0 win at Watford in the top flight in April 1988, QPR are winless in their last four away league games on Good Friday (D2 L2).

• Only Coventry City (22) have scored more Championship goals from crosses this season than QPR (14), with three of their past six league goals coming via crosses.

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Marti Cifuentes said Queens Park Rangers will not rest after a three-match unbeaten run carried them to the brink of Championship safety.

Draws against Cardiff City and Bristol City sandwiched an important win at Oxford United last week to take Rangers past the benchmark 50 points total that usually signifies a team is clear of relegation fears.

Cifuentes, however, wants to climb the table further as his team prepare to travel to Preston North End on Friday.

"We're ready to finish in a good way as we did last season," he told BBC Radio London.

"It's a decent amount of points. My target is always to be better, always to try to push and make sure we win the next game, and that's where my focus is, not only looking down but looking up as well.

"We have a gap of only three points between us and the next team in the table and we are playing Swansea in a few days as well, who are not far from us in table position.

"Those 50 points usually mean safety, but mathematically it's not done yet and it's important to try to win the last four games.

"I want to think we will arrive to these last four games in a good trend, with energy and with a lot of players who didn't play an amount of games and are fresh mentally and physically. It's a good opportunity for us to finish in a strong way."