LONDON (AFP) - Claudio Ranieri’s brief spell as manager of Premier League strugglers Fulham ended on Thursday (Feb 28) when the Italian was sacked after only four months in charge.
The 67-year-old Italian, who memorably guided Leicester City to the 2016 Premier League title, failed to ignite a Fulham revival after he replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic in November.
He was in charge for just 16 league games but won only three, and Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton left them second from bottom, 10 points adrift of safety with 10 matches remaining.
That loss at St Mary’s was the final straw as Fulham’s travelling fans chanted “you don’t know what you’re doing†at Ranieri.
Former Chelsea boss Ranieri had been labelled ‘risk-free’ appointment by Fulham owner Shahid Khan.
But unhappy Fulham supporters unveiled a banner at Southampton that read: “Risk free? Are you watching Tony Khan?â€, in a pointed reference to the Fulham owner’s son, who takes a major role in club policy.
“Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone,†Shahid Khan said in a statement.
Khan, whose investment of over £100million in new players in the close season after they were promoted to the Premier League has backfired spectacularly, said Ranieri behaved like a “perfect gentleman†during the talks.
“Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today,†said Khan.
“Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager.
“Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort.†.
Last throw of the dice
Ranieri, who was sacked by Leicester months after their fairytale title success, said he was sad the good start the club had made under his charge had not been maintained.
“I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment,†said Ranieri, who took over at a time when Fulham had secured just one point from their previous eight matches.
The Cottagers were promoted to the Premier League last season with a reputation for free-flowing football, but that attacking style was exposed in the top-flight, with the club’s £100 million spree on new signings failing to deliver the required quality.
Former England midfielder Scott Parker – who ended his playing career at Fulham – is to be the caretaker manager in one last desperate throw of the dice from the west Londoners.
“Scott’s immediate assignment is merely to help us stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club,†said Khan.
“If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead.â€Â
Ranieri is the sixth Premier League manager to lose his job this season and comes just days after Claude Puel was sacked by Leicester – Jokanovic, Mark Hughes (Southampton), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United) and David Wagner (Huddersfield) being the other casualties.
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got underway on Wednesday as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas.
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid | Free
Agree he should be sacked but he won't be. Player power has been a problem at Chelsea for years, all the players have been replaced many times over so it must be in the culture of the place. Won't change as Ambramovich has shown over and over again that the players are more important and have more power than the manager.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. Thomas ALLNUTT. AFP April 30, 2019, 5:01 PM GMT. Ivan Rakitic says Messi is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of Liverpool semi-final
Messi's Motivation Spurs On Barcelona, Says Rakitic
newsblenda.com/post/football/messis-motivation-spurs-on-barcelona-says-rakitic.html
Rakitic believes Barcelona's home advantage is significant. "I understand he wanted to take a bit of pressure off his players, he wants them to see it as another stadium. All I can say is playing at Camp Nou is a different thing, something special and you have to respect that." Valverde added: "Our fans can be decisive.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic
Copa del Rey: Valencia to face Barcelona in final after seeing off Real Betis Valencia, who lifted the trophy on their last appearance in the showpiece match in 2008, will meet 30-times winners Barca in the final on May 25 at Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium.
Football news - Valencia to face Barcelona in Copa del Rey
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he would "have to listen" to any approach from Real Madrid. Tottenham boss Pochettino has insisted he remains settled at Spurs having only signed a new five-year contract last month. But the former Argentina defender has been installed as the bookies' favourite
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would 'have to listen' to any
Iker Casillas and family had not yet recovered from his sudden heart attack when they were hit by another devastating news. Casillas' wife and TV sports journalist Sara Carbonero is suffering from ovarian cancer. Casillas had suffered a heart attack during training at his club FC Porto three weeks ago.
SWAN DIVE Swansea 2 Man City 3: Aguero double and Silva strike keep Guardiola's hopes of quadruple alive in stunning comeback
Tottenham win Champions League epic as Llorente stuns
Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, January 23, 2019. UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer player Sala. Soccer Football - Cardiff City
WHAT a fond farewell salute: After 16 years, 134 international 'A' caps and five goals, Baihakki Khaizan has fittingly decided to call it a day. He leaves this month, hanging up his international jersey and holding his head high as a role-model Singapore defender, probably one of the finest defenders of his generation, since he […]
Singapore national team, Raddy Avramovic and Shahril Ishak in
Liverpool produced one of the most stunning comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 and progress to the final for the second consecutive year on Tuesday as stand-in striker
Liverpool stun Barcelona to overcome deficit and reach UCL final
Mar 20, 2019 · Ronaldo and Juventus Will Avoid U.S. Amid Rape Investigation Image Cristiano Ronaldo, right, and Juventus will tour Asia this summer instead of the United States.
Ronaldo & Juventus 'to steer clear of US tour' amid rape
0 comments:
Post a Comment