"Very surprised" - Pundit reacts as Sunderland plot move for QPR boss | OneFootball

According to Alan Nixon, the Spaniard is in contention to replace Michael Beale for next season.

The Black Cats have struggled to find someone to appoint as their next head coach following Beale’s dismissal in February.

Mike Dodds oversaw the end of the campaign on an interim basis, leading the team to a 16th place finish in the table.

However, Sunderland’s pursuit of Cifuentes has hit a stumbling block amid reports that a compensation fee will need to be agreed with QPR to appoint the 41-year-old.

Carlton Palmer gives Cifuentes to Sunderland verdict

Carlton Palmer has dismissed the idea of Cifuentes joining Sunderland this summer.

He also does not expect Liam Rosenior to take over the reins at the Stadium of Light, as the club’s search for Beale’s successor continues.

“Sunderland have been linked with several different managers in recent weeks for the vacant manager’s job that is available,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Names in recent weeks [include] Will Still, Pascal Jansen, Dave Challinor and Steve Robinson, none of these have come to fruition.

“The latest name to be linked is Liam Rosenior, but again no substance to this.

“Another name that’s popped out is Martí Cifuentes, QPR’s manager.

“I can’t see this happening.”

Carlton Palmer highlights key issue for Sunderland’s Cifuentes pursuit

Palmer has pinpointed why he feels Cifuentes will remain at QPR for next season, expressing his concern with Sunderland’s approach to this head coach search.

“First of all, compensation will have to be paid,” he added.

“I can’t see Sunderland paying compensation, I can’t see QPR allowing Cifuentes to leave the football club, and I can’t believe that Cifuentes would want to leave the football club given what he achieved last season in keeping QPR in the league last season.

“QPR will want to keep him, obviously there is a problem financially in terms of players, and what he’s allowed to bring in.

“But like I’ve said before, the Sunderland job appears to be a difficult situation for anybody to step into.

“From what is coming out of the football club, is that you’re not allowed to bring into your coaching staff, you’re allowed to bring in one person and then you’ve got to work within the realms of how they want to run the football club.

“This is their choice, their policy, of bringing in young players in, not really signing senior players and the control that’s taken away from the manager.

“As I’ve said, it’s going to be a very, very difficult appointment because any manager that is worth his salt, unless you’re really desperate to get back into work, you’re only set up to fail under the regime that Sunderland have set up.

“This is disappointing for the supporters, disappointing so close to the season you’d obviously want to have a manager in place to start getting to work in the transfer market for the upcoming season.

“But, as I said, that’s not the case and I’d be very, very surprised if Cifuentes is the next Sunderland manager.”

Marti Cifuentes’ impact at QPR

QPR were in the relegation zone when Cifuentes took over in late October last year, and looked set for the drop to League One.

However, the Spaniard had a pretty much immediate impact at Loftus Road, transforming the team into a much more competitive outfit.

Three wins in their final three league games secured an 18th place finish in the Championship table, finishing six points clear of the bottom three.

QPR’s form to end the campaign saw them finish level on points with the Black Cats, who were in promotion contention midway through the season.

Cifuentes’ stock is on the rise due to QPR stint

Cifuentes’ stock has been enhanced greatly by the work he has done at QPR in the last few months.

The London club should do everything to ensure he commits his future to Loftus Road, as he has had a transformative impact since his arrival.

If he is given proper backing in the transfer market this summer, which will be difficult with their financial situation, then the team will have its sights set on a top half finish.

This is what makes Sunderland so interested in him, but right now a move to the Stadium of Light isn’t looking so appealing compared to staying at QPR.