Sunderland seemed to have a never-ending shortlist of potential managers, with a new name being plucked out of thin air every week.

However, each one of them seems to have pulled out of the running for the job just as fans begin to get excited about their 100 plus day hunt for a new head coach coming to an end.

They have now missed out on the likes of Danny Rohl, Rene Maric, Will Still, Bo Svensson, Pascal Jansen and Liam Rosenior.

With the latter being the latest to withdraw, it very quickly became apparent that there seemed to be no names left that were of public knowledge – that is, other than Marti Cifuentes.

The QPR manager has been linked with Sunderland over the last week, but talk had gone fairly quiet when it had emerged of his six-figure compensation fee.

It seemed unlikely that the Black Cats would pursue him, but their disastrous search so far may force their hand.

Marti Cifuentes managerial career so far

After a brief playing career in Spain, Marti Cifuentes began his coaching career in the youth departments of Ajax and Millwall.

He then began his first managerial job in the third tier of Spanish football with UE Sant Andrew in 2014, before spending time with CE L’Hospitalet and Swedish club AIK’s academy and reserve team.

Cifuentes got his big break when he arrived at Norwegian top-flight side Sandefjord in 2018, leading a relegation-threatened team to promotion in his first full season.

The Spaniard then moved to Denmark with Aalborg BK, guiding them to a fifth-place and fourth-place finish, before earning himself a move to Swedish giants Hammarby.

Cifuentes earned them a third-place finish in 2022 and also reached the final of the Svenska Cup, while they also qualified for the Europa Conference League.

The 41-year-old was then lured to England in October, linking up with QPR as they sat six points from safety.

Marti Cifuentes QPR record

When Marti Cifuentes joined QPR in October, they sat with eight points from 14 matches. They had claimed two wins, two draws and ten defeats – sitting six points from safety in 23rd place.

The Spanish coach had 32 matches to turn things around and did so pretty comfortably, picking up 48 points from a possible 96 and guiding them to 18th place – six points above the relegation zone and level on points with Sunderland.

The London outfit won 13 games, drew nine and lost ten under Cifuentes, picking up 1.45 points per match.

They netted 37 goals and conceded 32 goals in his 32 matches at the helm. In comparison, Sunderland scored 28 goals and conceded 38 goals.

Marti Cifuentes style of play

Marti Cifuentes usually deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation at Loftus Road.

In December, Total Football Analysis reported that QPR were then playing 10.1 fewer long balls per match than when Gareth Ainsworth was in charge, as well as averaging 74.5 more short passes.

The head coach encouraged a possession-based game, as well as playing out from the back.

QPR have begun creating more chances and their off-the-ball movement has improved – something Sunderland have struggled with.

Sunderland terget Chris Willock is one player who has thrived under Cifuentes, after failing to score or assist before his arrival.

The midfielder went onto pick up four goal contributions in his first six games in charge, before totalling four goals and four assists all term.

Marti Cifuentes to Sunderland analysis

Marti Cifuentes has proven that he can turn a failing team around without buckling under the pressure.

Sunderland have more talent and potential than QPR do and, if given the resources, he could push them back up the table – just like he would be expected to do in the English capital.

Cifuentes’ style of play is what the Black Cats need and what they were so good at doing in their first season back in the Championship, and he could help bring back that confidence to the squad.

His hefty compensation fee remains a huge issue though and it would be surprising to see the club commit to paying it, even when they are under huge pressure to find a manager.