"Massive loss" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit fires Marti Cifuentes, West Brom warning to QPR | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has discussed the impact that Marti Cifuentes joining West Bromwich Albion could have on Queens Park Rangers.

Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes has been linked with the vacant managerial role at fellow Championship club West Bromwich Albion.

There have been talks between the Spaniard's representatives and West Brom, as per Sky Sports, with a view to him being appointed to replace Tony Mowbray in the dugout at The Hawthorns ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

It is understood that those talks have not yet reached a stage where formal permission has been requested from QPR.

The Sun revealed last week that Cifuentes has considered quitting his role at Loftus Road due to a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry, and now that he appears to be looking at other options, it would be no surprise if QPR's trip to Sunderland this weekend was the 42-year-old's last game in charge of the Rs.

Lee Hendrie fires Cifuentes warning to QPR

Sky Sports pundit, Lee Hendrie, spoke exclusively to Football League World about the speculation surrounding Cifuentes' future, and warned that his departure would not be good news for QPR.

"Yeah, touching on Cifuentes, if it is that he is to leave the football club it would be a blow for QPR," Hendrie said.

"Yes it would be, because we have seen so many signs of potential from them this season, even with their limited squad, so you do feel he has done a remarkable job there.

"He is very well-liked at the football club. I have been to and done a few of their games this season and the fans have really got behind him - his way and his style of play.

"He has come up with some really good results this season, and they could have been one of the clubs that could have easily been in the thick of a relegation battle. He has given them a push away from there.

"It would be a massive loss for them, it really would, and that is why I think that other clubs are going to look at him, for sure, because of how successful he has been over the season with, really, a limited squad of players.

"That is why he has brought in young players and used his young players, which has been, I think, brilliant for the football club."

Cifuentes has impressed at Loftus Road

Cifuentes has done an excellent job since being appointed as QPR's head coach in October 2023. He steered the club clear of the threat of relegation during his first season in charge, before guiding them to safety once again this time around.

However, he has not only done a good job on the pitch, but he has also galvanised the supporters at Loftus Road, which may well be something that has attracted the hierarchy at West Brom given the fractious atmosphere at The Hawthorns of late.

It seems likely that QPR's clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this weekend will be Cifuentes' final game in charge of the Rs, and if that does turn out to be the case, it is imperative that the club finds the right person to replace him, and backs them, to ensure they are not dragged into another relegation battle next season.