QPR’s Resurgence: How Martí Cifuentes Steadied the Ship at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers’ 4-0 drubbing at home to Derby County, fresh off a successful poaching of manager John Eustace from high flying Blackburn Rovers, epitomises the turnaround they have had this season. Martí Cifuentes has finally found his winning formula in West London, turning the blue and Whites into a dark horse in the Championship promotion race.
Whilst they have since lost to Portsmouth and Sheffield United, QPR nevertheless sit 14th in the table, eight points off the promotion spots, and 11 points above the drop. This is how QPR defied all odds and turned their season around.
Mark Warburton’s contract came to an end on 1st June 2022, marking the termination of a steady three-year period for the R’s. Mounting a playoff push in his second season, and two comfortable mid-table finishes, it seemed the only way was up for the former Premier League side.
Instead, it introduced a period of managerial turmoil for QPR, with the three managers following lasting just 499 days between them. Neil Critchley, the second of the three managers, lasted just 70 days in charge and recorded an 8.33%-win rate from his 12 games, the lowest of any permanent QPR manager ever.
The West London side were dragged into two relegation battles in 22/23 and 23/24 before the appointment of Spaniard Marti Cifuentes, a hot name following his work with Swedish side Hammarby. The situation in 2023/24 was just like this season, with a stint in League One for the first time since 2004-05 looking almost certain.
The 42-year-old steadied the ship and ensured he would be managing a Championship side once again after guiding his side to a 18th place finish, six points above a drop to the third division. Fans would have been hoping this was a positive bit of momentum for the team to build on, looking to return to the Premier League exactly ten years after they finished bottom and were subsequently relegated. Instead, what followed was the complete opposite. With one win in their first 16 league games, QPR sat rock bottom of the league again.
With Cifuentes’ job on the line the mentality was simple, every game was a must win in their bid for Championship safety. 19 league games have followed since this moment, and QPR have won 10 of those games, drawing three and losing the other six. With impressive wins over Blackburn, Watford and Norwich, The Hoops sit comfortably midtable with 11 games to play.
The contrast in performances throughout the season so far has been night and day, but the second half of their season has shown QPR at their best and shows what this team is truly capable of. The return of playmaker Ilias Chair was crucial for the success of Rangers. The Moroccan has picked up two goals and six assists in his 22 league games this term, showing how important he Is to the team as a creative focal point.
Defender Jimmy Dunne has also been a huge reason for success, offering defensive stability and attacking prowess throughout the season. Dunne has played right back for most of the campaign, and the right side of the R’s defence has been stabilised by the loan signing of Ronnie Edwards from Premier League strugglers Southampton. When compared to full backs in similar leagues over the last year, the 27-year-old has shown stellar performances in both attacking and defensive metrics, but his defensive capabilities show just why he has been so solid throughout.
Averaging 5.62 clearances and 4.92 aerial duels won per 90, on top of his 2.34 tackles just show why he may be a sought-after man in the summer transfer window. Dunne’s 1.37 shots per 90 is also better then 91% of others playing in his position, a huge contribution towards QPR’S 39 goals this season.
Photo: FBRef
It certainly has been a tough time at Loftus Road, but steps in the right direction are being made. There is every chance QPR defy the odds and achieve a playoff position this season, but with many other teams gunning for such a small chance at the Premier League, Cifuentes’ team will have to be perfect in their pursuit.
By: Josh Wright / @joshwrightt12__
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Jan Christensen / FrontzoneSport