Who is QPR manager Marti Cifuentes?

QUEENS Park Rangers have confirmed Marti Cifuentes as the club’s new head coach.

But who is he and when was the appointment announced? Here’s everything you need to know about Marti Cifuentes’ coaching career.

GettyMarti Cifuentes pictured during his stint at Hammarby IF[/caption]

Who is Marti Cifuentes?

Marti Cifuentes, born July 7, 1982, is a Spanish football coach.

He has has spent almost a decade in management and coached in the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

When did Marti Cifuentes become head coach at Queens Park Rangers?

On October 30, 2023, it was reported that Queens Park Rangers have announced the appointment Marti Cifuentes as Gareth Ainsworth’s successor.

Cifuentes arrives from Swedish top-flight side Hammarby.

A statement from QPR CEO Lee Hoos read: ”We are delighted to bring Martí in and I would firstly like to thank Hammarby for being fantastic to deal with throughout the process.

”Martí is an exciting appointment and we look forward to seeing the impact he can have.

”Having a succession plan in place is a necessary part of football, irrespective of how the team are performing.

”Martí is someone we have been aware of so we are really pleased to have been able to secure his services.”

QPR sacked Gareth Ainsworth after nine Championship games without a win left them six points from safety in 23rd place.

The 50-year-old was appointed in February following 11 years at Wycombe but he won only five of 28 games in charge.

When was Marti Cifuentes coach at Hammarby IF and which other teams has he coached?

Prior to taking on the position at QPR, Cifuentes was the head coach at Swedish club Hammarby IF.

He was appointed the role in 2022.

Following brief spells as a youth coach with Millwall, Ajax and Spanish sides Terrassa FC and UE Rubi, Cifuentes’ first venture into senior management began with UE Sant Andreu in February 2014.

He then joined CE L’Hospitalet ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, before spending time with AIK in Sweden across their academy and reserve team between 2017 and 2018.

In the summer of 2018, Cifuentes was named head coach of Norwegian side Sandefjord, before making to move to Danish side Aalborg BK.

The following season, Hammarby came to an agreement with the club and Cifuentes later returned to Sweden.

There he has enjoyed great sporting success, helping the club to third in 2022, while also reaching the final of the Svenska Cupen.

Cifuentes took control of his last fixture for Hammarby on Monday, October 30, 2023.

Following the announcement from QPR, Cifuentes’ first game of his appointment will be against Rotherham United on November 4, 2023.

He arrives at a side with two wins in 14 league games and they are six points behind Huddersfield Town who are just outside the drop zone.