New Marti Cifuentes, West Brom update may alert these 2 EFL clubs | OneFootball

With Martí Cifuentes departing QPR, two clubs stand out as logical next steps

With Martí Cifuentes officially departing Queens Park Rangers, clubs across the EFL should be paying close attention.

The Spanish coach’s tenure at QPR may not have attracted widespread headlines, but those who followed closely recognise the value he added in difficult circumstances.

It looked like he was set to join West Bromwich Albion to take over from the sacked Tony Mowbray, however it's since been claimed that he does not feature on the Baggies's shortlist of candidates.

Taking over a demoralised side in November 2023, he guided the R’s to safety with a clear tactical identity, improving both performance levels and squad cohesion in spite of limited resources.

Cifuentes’ teams are defined by their structure, intelligence in possession, and ability to control tempo, in line with tactical trends in the Championship.

While the managerial market is already in motion for the 25/26 season, two clubs in particular stand out as an ideal landing spot for Cifuentes.

Sheffield Wednesday

Assuming Danny Röhl departs in the coming weeks - as expected, given his rising profile and links to posts at Leicester City, Southampton and RB Leipzig - Sheffield Wednesday will require a manager capable of continuing the club’s tactical and cultural rebuild.

Röhl’s transformative impact at Hillsborough has been defined by high pressing, structured defensive phases, and a coherent tactical plan that elevated play across the pitch.

Whoever follows him must understand the value of tactical clarity and long-term development.

Cifuentes fits that brief. Like Röhl, he represents the new breed of European coach - methodical, data-aware, and wedded to an distinguishable style.

His work at QPR demonstrated his ability to implement complex ideas in a relegation-threatened squad, stabilise performances, and raise the technical ceiling without a significant outlay.

At Hillsborough, he would inherit a group now accustomed to modern training methods and off-ball discipline, making for a relatively seamless transition.

That said, Cifuentes’ departure from QPR is understood to have stemmed from a breakdown in relations with the club’s board - a reminder that his standards off the pitch are as exacting as his methods on it.

Any club looking to appoint him must be willing to support a long-term project and offer stability behind the scenes. Given the recurring unrest among Owls supporters regarding chairman Dejphon Chansiri’s stewardship, that dynamic would need to be carefully managed. Cifuentes would likely require clear assurances before accepting such a role.

Cardiff City

Cardiff City’s surprise appointment of Aaron Ramsey as interim head coach in April 2025 was a headline-grabbing decision, but also one fraught with uncertainty.

While Ramsey is a club legend and undoubtedly commands respect within the Cardiff dressing room, he is unproven at first team managerial level.

Should results falter early in the 2025-26 season, regardless of the division the Bluebirds find themselves in, the board may be forced to act quickly to stabilise.

Cifuentes offers an immediate upgrade in tactical experience and leadership. His profile aligns with Cardiff’s long-term needs: an emphasis on structure, player development, and the ability to impose a style of play irrespective of resources.

In recent years, Cardiff have struggled to find a coherent identity under a string of short-lived managers. Appointing a coach with Cifuentes’ methodical approach would be a genuine shift in strategy.