QPR boss shortlisted for Championship December award

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has been nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award for December.

The Spaniard picked up 11 points across the festive period as the west Londoners moved away from the bottom half of the table.

Rangers, who were bottom of the table as they headed into the last international break, picked up significant wins against Preston, Norwich and Oxford.

They did suffer one defeat last month – losing 3-0 on Boxing Day against Swansea.

Cifuentes is up against Burnley’s Scott Parker, who guided his side to an unbeaten month in December. They also beat promotion rivals Sheffield United 2-0.

Leeds United’s Daniel Farke and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl are also up for the award.

The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

The winner will be announced on Friday.

PICTURE: ROB AVIS