Championship

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summer after a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry.Spaniard Cifuentes, who joined Rangers from Swedish side Hammerby in November 2023, has grown frustrated with the direction the club is heading under Nourry – who was brought in to oversee the club’s recruitment in January last year.QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summerCredit: RexCifuentes wants re-assurances the club want to progress to the next levelCredit: GettyCifuentes, who signed a new contract in September, was linked with the Sunderland job last summer.The Loftus Road manager’s potential availability could interest Norwich and West Brom, who sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup and Tony Mowbray respectively on Easter Monday.The highly-rated 42-year-old is hugely popular with the QPR fans after keeping the club in the Championship last season.But he has grown frustrated with the huge number of injuries his squad encountered this season, which ended their flickering play-off hopes and will result in a lower-mid-table finish.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCifuentes is unhappy at the club’s decision to allow director of performance Ben Williams to oversee the club’s sports science, medical, physio and nutrition departments remotely from Dubai.QPR chiefs also vetoed a move from 27-year-old Nourry to appoint a set-piece coach earlier this season.Headline summer arrivals Zan Celar and Nicolas Madsen have struggled since signing for a combined fee of over £5million.And Cifuentes said after Monday’s 2-1 home defeat by Swansea he wanted assurances the club want to progress to the next level having dropped out of the Premier League ten years ago.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Spaniard said: “The supporters since I first came here have been amazing.“But I would like to give them something else and not just celebrate another season in the Championship.”Ruud Van Nistelrooy speaks after Leicester relegated to the ChampionshipQPR play already-promoted Burnley at home on Saturday before a trip to play-off bound Sunderland on the final day.Cifuentes had previously targeted surpassing last season’s points total of 56 and the Rs are one win away from matching that.QPR are 15th in the Championship after losing to Swansea on Easter MondayCredit: Rex More

WAYNE ROONEY is to blame for Plymouth Argyle’s relegation dogfight.At least that’s the view of the man who replaced him.Rooney failed to deliver the winning formula at PlymouthCredit: GettyMuslic inherited a relegation dogfight on his arrivalCredit: APThe former Manchester United and England striker was sensationally slammed by current Plymouth boss Miron Muslic, who has been tasked with the difficult challenge of saving the Devon club from the drop. Plymouth are rock-bottom of the second tier on 43 points, tied with Cardiff City, although they sit beneath the Bluebirds on goal difference. They are three points from safety, but their -37 goal difference is far inferior to that of Derby County’s, which reads -9. It means that Muslic has a near-impossible task of keeping the Pilgrims in the second tier, following their promotion back to the Championship back in 2023 when they lifted the League One title. READ MORE FOOTBALLThey travel to Preston North End for their penultimate fixture, before hosting already-promoted Leeds United on the final day. Plymouth have won three from their last five games, and Muslic gave a damning indictment of Rooney’s tenure after their 3-1 victory over Frank Lampard’s play-off chasing Coventry City. The Austrian said: “I think if I’m the head coach from day one we will be far, far away from the relegation zone, we will be safe five games ago.”I truly believe if I will be here with my staff from day one, we will be nowhere near where we are right now.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The performance today, the performance at Middlesbrough [where they lost 2-1]”We’ve taken nine points at Home Park against Norwich, against Sheffield United, against Coventry.‘Finally know why he’s always sacked’, say fans as Wayne Rooney picks controversial Arsenal-Real Madrid combined XI “These are teams playing for the Premier League and they all lost here in Plymouth at Home Park, that gives me the confidence.”Argyle survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last term, beating Hull City 1-0 on the final day of the campaign to secure themselves at the second step once more. However, this season, results have been far bleaker – particularly when Rooney was in charge at the beginning. Rooney, who took the reins at Home Park after his sacking from Birmingham City in January last year, was drubbed 4-0 in his first game in charge by Sheffield Wednesday. He left the club on New Year’s Eve, with Plymouth bottom and four points from safety. More

JACK WILSHERE has been appointed Norwich’s interim manager following the club’s sacking of Johaness Thorup.Dane Thorup oversaw an average season for the Canaries, who are currently 14th in the Championship table.Johannes Thorup has been sacked by Norwich CityCredit: AlamyJack Wilshere has taken interim charge of the CanariesCredit: REXFormer Arsenal and England star Wilshere was part of the Norwich set-up before Johaness Thorup’s sackingCredit: REXAnd the Easter Monday defeat to Millwall has proven to be his final game in charge of the East Anglia club, who have chosen to wield the axe before the season comes to a close.An excerpt of a club statement read: “Norwich City have parted company with head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup with immediate effect.”Assistant head coach Glen Riddersholm has also left his position with the club.”Canaries Sporting Director Ben Knapper said: “Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately, recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us make a change.READ MORE ON WILSHERE“I’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Johannes and Glen. “They are both fantastic people who worked tirelessly to help improve and move our football club forward.“We all wish the two of them the best in the next stage of their respective careers.”Wilshere, who was already part of the Canaries set-up prior to Thorup’s sacking, will oversee the club’s final two games of the Championship season with the assistance of Tony Roberts and Nick Stanley.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJack Wilshere’s Norwich could send his former Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey and Cardiff City down to League OneCredit: GETTYNorwich will travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Middlesbrough before taking on Cardiff City the following weekend.Boro will be hoping to pip Coventry to the final play-off spot, while Cardiff will bid to beat the drop at Carrow Road.Jack Wilshere’ ‘out of his comfort zone’ in first coaching role since shock Arsenal exit Victory in their final match of the season could see Wilshere relegate his former long-time Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey, who is in interim charge of Cardiff following the Welsh club’s axing of Omer Riza last weekend.Wilshere and Ramsey spent 17 and 11 years at Arsenal, respectively.But remarkably, they only shared the pitch 101 times during their stints with the north London club.And Ramsey admits he wishes he played more games with his fellow former Gunner.The Welshman told The Mirror: “Jack called it a day, which was very sad to see. “[He was] obviously an unbelievable player on his day, very talented. It was a pleasure to play with him. “I wish I had the opportunity to play with him a lot more, but he got injured [and then] I got injured [laughs at the irony] – so we didn’t get a lot of time playing together.”Read More on The SunWilshere will face a massive dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.He’s set to run the London Marathon on Sunday and will face a lengthy train journey back to the capital on Saturday to prepare himself for the race.Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere played 101 times together at ArsenalCredit: EPA More

LEEDS celebrated promotion back to the Premier League in jubilant scenes at Elland Road.A 6-0 thumping of Stoke followed by Burnley’s win over Sheffield United secured Leeds’ return to the top flight.There were jubilant celebrations as Leeds secured promotionCredit: RexWinger Largie Ramazani led the partyCredit: RexThe former Man Utd youth player danced around wildlyCredit: RexRamazani also took over the mic and interviewed his team-matesCredit: RexThere were wild celebrations as fans and players alike partied hard after the momentous achievement.Leeds winger Largie Ramazani took fans behind-the-scenes and interviewed his team-mates as they enjoyed their success.Amid champagne bottles being sprayed and players dancing Ramazani tried to ask the Leeds stars their thoughts on gaining promotion.Left-back Junior Firpo said: “It’s an unbelievable day. I’m really happy, I just want to enjoy now.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile Ao Tanaka shouted into the mic: “I am so happy. So happy. I can’t find the words.”Captain Ethan Ampadu and Patrick Bamford had few words to say but Manor Solomon, on loan from Tottenham, said: “I’m feeling amazing. I can’t find the words I’m so happy.”The likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Pascal Struijk and Joel Piroe – who put four past Stoke – celebrated with promotion banners draped around their shoulders.Ramazani, a former Manchester United youth player, then picked one up and flung it around before dancing, leading one fan to brand him the new Ezgjan Alioski – Leeds’ chief partyer the last time they were promoted to the Prem in 2020.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSPascal Struijk and Joel Piroe celebrate after thrashing StokeCredit: RexPatrick Bamford celebrates with Leeds fans, beer in handCredit: AlamyPlayers also sang along to ‘Don’t you know pump it up, the Whites are going up!’.Boss Daniel Farke later stepped outside to greet the thousands of fas gathered outside Elland Road.Leeds manager Daniel Farke reveals the Sir Alex Ferguson trick he cannot copy He danced along as fans sang his name and led a big cheer before applauding the crowd.After promotion was confirmed, Farke said: ‘I’m lost for words, which doesn’t happen that often. You could see from this morning that the atmosphere was amazing.”94 points at this stage of the season is unbelievable. The players should celebrate, our supporters should celebrate and we will definitely make sure that Easter Monday lasts for one or two more days.”It’s difficult on such an emotional day to reflect too much but it was a long road. It’s not easy to stabilise the ship after relegation, and to deal with the lost important players and a hangover from relegation.”I just want right now beer after beer, champagne after champagne and don’t bother me about football for a few days.'”We were not able to spend too much money and I was also a bit jealous that some other clubs could spend money.”Thousands gathered outside Elland Road to celebrate promotionCredit: PALeeds return to the Premier League after a two year absenceCredit: AlamyBurnley’s win over Sheffield United secured Leeds’ promotionCredit: PA More

A LEEDS fans was knocked out cold celebrating promotion to the Premier League.Burnley’s win over Sheffield United meant the Clarets and Leeds have returned to the top flight.A Leeds fan was knocked unconscious after falling into a supporter who slid on the floorCredit: XThe dangerous incident took place as Leeds fans celebrated promotionCredit: XDaniel Farke’s side have led the way for the majority of the season and will now battle Burnley for the title.Supporters were on cloud nine as Leeds thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road to all but book their place back in the Prem.But one fan was knocked unconscious after hitting his head on the concourse floor.The incident occurred by accident as the supporter tried to celebrate with a fan who had slide across the floor on his belly.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat fan ended up on top of the individual, who was knocked unconscious in the process, and quickly got up as other fans continued singing.Leeds fans have plenty to celebrate after bouncing back from a play-off final defeat last season to win promotion.They could even become centurions if they beat Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle in their remaining matches.The club are already preparing for life back in the Premier League by lining up a move to sign Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFour-cap England ace Johnstone, 32, has lost his place at Wolves under boss Vitor Pereira.The keeper has not played since December when Wolves lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town. ‘I dropped him straight away’ – Sam Allardyce reveals he never gave struggling Leeds star a game as it was ‘harming him’ More

HARRY GRAY made his first team debut for Leeds on Monday – in front of his club legend great uncle.With the Whites 6-0 up against Stoke at Elland Road, the 16-year-old was introduced to replace Brenden Aaronson in the 86th minute.Harry Gray made his debut for Leeds on MondayCredit: GettyHe became the youngest member of his family to make his first team debutCredit: PAEddie Gray was emotional as his great nephew made his debutCredit: Sky SportsGray is a club legend at Elland RoadCredit: PAAs a result, he became the youngest member of his football family to make his senior debut.The forward is the younger brother of Archie Gray, who joined Tottenham in a £30million transfer from Leeds last July.His dad, Andy, also played for the Championship side, as did his grandad, Frank.And his great uncle, Eddie Gray, is a club legend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEddie made 532 appearances for Leeds in his playing career and spent another four years as manager.The 77-year-old was in the stands to watch his great nephew make his debut on Sunday.He appeared emotional as Harry was introduced for the first time.Leeds’ 6-0 win over Stoke put them in pole position to earn promotion back to the Premier League with two games left to play.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd the club’s spot in the top division was confirmed when Burnley clinched a 2-1 win over Sheffield United later in the evening.Players stayed at Elland Road after their match to watch the huge clash. ‘I dropped him straight away’ – Sam Allardyce reveals he never gave struggling Leeds star a game as it was ‘harming him’And they partied late into the evening when their promotion was confirmed.Burnley also earned automatic promotion with the win over Sheffield United.Harry Gray is the brother of Tottenham star Archie GrayCredit: Getty More