Burnley is no stranger to the Championship, having won it two years ago under Vincent Kompany after an incredible 101 points in a single season. However, in just a short time, the club’s environment has radically changed.

The former Belgian defender’s strong possession-based playmaking was well-known in the lower leagues, but it backfired in the premier league as the Clarets finished the season with just 24 points, or 0.63 points per game, due to a season marred by mistakes.

To many people’s surprise, Kompany has since accepted the position at the prestigious German and European team Bayern Munich, who fired former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after the team finished second to Bayer Leverkusen and advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

QPR boss among list of potential Vincent Kompany replacements

Not surprisingly, because Turf Moor has a vacancy, prospective applicants have already been mentioned.

The Athletic reports that the West Bromwich Albion boss’s Spanish colleague Marti Cifuentes has also been connected to the previously mentioned position, in addition to Scott Parker, Liam Rosenior, Mark Robins, and Carlos Corberan.

The Spaniard took over as QPR’s head coach on October 30, 2018, following the team’s appalling start to the season under Gareth Ainsworth, which saw them secure their relegation after only two victories in their first 14 games.

But in his first 32 Championship games, the former Hammarby manager was able to turn his team into a formidable defensive unit. He also achieved some commendable results along the way, most notably a 4-0 annihilation of Leeds United that guaranteed West Londoners’ safety.

After making such a big impact at Loftus Road in such a short time, it’s hardly surprising that Cifuentes’ name will be associated with possible new challenges. Earlier in the month, he was also connected to the Hull City opening, before the Tigers pursued former Hamburg SV manager Tim Walter.

They may have crossed paths again from their time at Anderlecht.

Marti Cifuentes to Burnley would be an intriguing appointment

Having said that, Football League World’s writers have expressed their personal opinions on whether the 41-year-old’s transfer to East Lancashire is the best course of action for all involved.

Ferraby, Benedict

Undoubtedly, if this move were to succeed, it would be intriguing to observe how Cifuentes would respond to a change in expectations, given that Burnley is eventually predicted to be among the front-runners for promotion in what is obviously a weaker league next season.

His ability to alter his play style based on the advantages and disadvantages of opponents is undoubtedly one facet of his management that will excite Clarets supporters. In West London, this has paid off as Rangers avoided relegation by a margin of six points.

In addition, QPR has been the best-performing team among those that finished in the bottom half after his arrival. In 32 games, they have amassed 48 points, including 13 triumphs.

Despite their solid defensive bases, his team only scored 37 goals in those games, so maybe some would question that, but with greater resources at their disposal and, let’s not mince it, a better team overall, this production would surely increase at Turf Moor.

If Alan Pace had chosen someone with more Championship experience—Parker or Corberan, for example—I wouldn’t be surprised, but if those options weren’t available, Cifuentes wasn’t the worst choice.

Benigno

It’s hardly surprising that both Rohl and Cifuentes are drawing interest from other teams, considering how well Sheffield Wednesday and QPR performed in the Championship in the second half of the previous campaign.

Although Cifuentes came to England with a bit more experience than the German, in his brief stint in west London, he has undoubtedly changed the Hoops’ trajectory.

With a young-looking Burnley team that has many talents who could be poised to take the Championship by storm again, the Spaniard appreciates possession play but also wants his teams to press high up the pitch.

It is worth considering the number of players the Clarets will need to let go in order to comply with profit and sustainability regulations. Given the risk involved, it would be highly unlikely that Cifuentes would leave his stable and well-loved position to take on a riskier role.

Therefore, rather than taking a huge chance, Cifuentes should demonstrate loyalty if contacted and continue to build on the work he has started at Loftus Road, even though it is obvious that he is a potential manager in his own right.

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