Marti Cifuentes appeared to be concerned about his future after QPR’s 1-1 stalemate with Stoke left them bottom of the Championship with no home wins this season.
Cifuentes remains popular with fans after keeping the club up last season, and he has previously expressed confidence in having the support of the Rangers leadership, who, led by chief executive Christian Nourry, oversaw a squad overhaul in the summer.
However, the head coach’s tone appeared to change following the game at Loftus Road.
He stated, “Since the summer, the club has been aware of the areas in which I believe we can improve.
“From there, I’m going to strive to the best of my ability to ensure that this club reaches the level that I believe it is capable of and deserves, because it has incredible potential.
“I am here as a coach, trying to do my best. Others must make decisions.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a team at the bottom of the table, 11 or 12 games without a win, and the manager walks out, and everyone sings and cheers like the supporters did.
“This will be in my heart for the rest of my life. I feel incredible support from the players and spectators.
“Everywhere I’ve
As a manager, I met the objectives set by the club. If someone believes there is a manager or coaching issue, it is not my responsibility.” When asked if he believed he had the support of his supervisors, Cifuentes responded, “I think that’s a question you should ask them, not me.” After Tom Cannon had put Stoke ahead, Rangers equalised with Ben Gibson’s own goal, and Zan Celar had missed a penalty in the first half.
Despite Celar’s failure to score since his arrival from Swiss team Lugano, and fellow summer recruit Nicolas Madsen scoring all 13 of the spot-kicks he has taken during his senior career, it was the Slovenian striker who stepped up – and pulled his kick wide of
target. Allowing Celar to take the penalty appeared to be a desperate attempt to help him score a goal, but Cifuentes justified the decision.
“We have three takers, and this is based not only on their history as penalty takers in their careers, but also on how we practice penalties,” Cifuentes said, adding that the final selection was made by the players themselves.
“Zan is an outstanding penalty taker, as evidenced by his performances in Switzerland, Italy, and with the national team. As long as he and Nico are on the pitch, they are the takers.
“Now it is extremely easy to say (that was a bad decision). However, it is critical for a striker to
Score a goal. “For me what is important is to have the courage to take a penalty in the situation where he is, because he knows he is a striker that has not scored, but to have the courage to take the penalty he has all my confidence and that is the way I support my players.”If you aren’t a good player, you won’t be a top scorer in the Swiss league or play for the national team.
“Obviously, he is in a terrible situation right now, and as a manager, I need to help him because, in my opinion, he is the best striker in the world, along with Alfie (Lloyd) and Michy (Michael Frey). They’re the three best.
The world’s best strikers, in my opinion. Rangers face a crucial road encounter against fellow strugglers Cardiff City, who are now five points ahead of them, in midweek.
The strain has been compounded by the inability to win, which would have lifted the R’s above second-bottom Portsmouth, whose match against Blackburn has been postponed.
QPR vs Stoke player ratings
And Cifuentes said, “It was difficult for me to address the players following the game. What could I tell them? I believe they are utilizing all of their abilities.
“They have tried and worked extremely hard, but it has not been enough. The reality of the table is what it is, and we were unable to win again today.
“But I see a team that is committed, a team that is working really hard, and I’m going to work as hard as I can.”
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