Claudio Ranieri Named Manager Of Fulham Football Club(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/cravencottage/rexfeatures_9889258c.jpg?w=622&h=278)
Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, today announced that he has appointed Claudio Ranieri as Manager of Fulham Football Club, replacing Slaviša Jokanović.
Ranieri, who led Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, was given a multi-year contract to lead Fulham, who currently sit at the bottom of the table with five points from 12 matches. Fulham's next match is Saturday 24th November versus Southampton at Craven Cottage.
(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/misc/rexfeatures_7550614i.jpg?w=300&h=400)
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri said. "The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Khan thanked Jokanović for his service to Fulham, where he led the Club to two consecutive Play-Off appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium in May to secure promotion to the Premier League.
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slaviša and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters," Khan said. "Slaviša will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slaviša and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Khan said he and his son Tony Khan, Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations at FFC, considered and spoke with a number of potential candidates within the past week, with Ranieri becoming their mutual and obvious choice. Tony Khan and his staff will continue to oversee First Team player recruitment and contractual agreements, and he will work closely with Ranieri.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential," Khan said. "Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/14/claudio-ranieri-named-manager-of-fulham-football-club
Fulham sack Slavisa Jokanovic and appoint Claudio Ranieri
Fulham have sacked manager Slavisa Jokanovic and replaced him with Claudio Ranieri, who guided Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016.
Jokanovic makes way with the Cottagers sitting bottom of the Premier League table with five points from 12 matches.
Italian Ranieri, 67, has been given a "multi-year" contract by the Londoners.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option," said Fulham chairman Shahid Khan.
"So having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
Khan said he and his son Tony Khan, the club's vice chairman and director of football operations, spoke with a number of potential candidates over the past week.
"It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," said Ranieri, who spent last season in charge of French club Nantes.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table."
Ranieri's first game in charge will see Fulham host Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 24 November.
"I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage," he added.
Ranieri's rollercoaster - title shock to the sack
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/14D5/production/_104333350_gettyimages-528947892.jpg)
Claudio Ranieri led Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2015-16 at odds of 5000/1
Despite vast experience with clubs such as Valencia, Juventus, Inter Milan, Roma and Monaco, Ranieri joined Leicester City in 2015 on the back of a failed spell as Greece boss, including losing to European minnows the Faroe Islands during Euro 2016 qualifying.
The Italian had earned the nickname 'The Tinkerman' during his previous spell in England in charge of Chelsea, where he guided the Blues to second in the Premier League as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
More than a decade later, his Leicester side started the 2015-16 season as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the Premier League and were among the favourites for relegation.
But the Foxes delivered one the greatest sporting shocks of all time as they clinched the club's first top-flight English title, described by many as a "miracle".
The fairytale could not continue, however, with Ranieri sacked the following campaign - just ninth months after delivering the title.
Jokanovic sacking 'correct decision'
Jokanovic, who joined the club in December 2015, led Fulham to promotion via the play-offs last season.
But they have so far registered just one win on their return to the Premier League after four seasons in the Championship.
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the club and our supporters," added Khan.
"Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football.
"I am hoping everyone in the Fulham family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slavisa and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Analysis - Can the Tinkerman keep Fulham up?
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer
Fulham's owner Shahid Khan delivered combative public support for manager Slavisa Jokanovic in his programme notes for the home game against Bournemouth less than three weeks ago, telling fans "don't believe anything" in reports he faced the sack.
Times change. Quickly.
Fulham were beaten 3-0 by The Cherries, then lost at fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town, and Sunday's defeat at Liverpool was the last straw. The man who guided The Cottagers to promotion was gone.
Khan reacted as Fulham lay bottom of the Premier League, after a summer investment of £100m only resulted in an imbalanced side where few new faces had made an impact, a loss of the attacking impetus that was their trademark and the worst defensive record in the division.
The fear of relegation always overrules sentiment.
So it is welcome back to the Premier League for ever-popular Claudio Ranieri, whose title-winning deeds at Leicester City will be remembered forever.
This time he must work fast to turn a serious situation around with his brand of personal charm but more importantly his tactical acumen, starting with shoring up that porous defence.
It will be no easy task for 'The Tinkerman'.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46205801
Fulham axe Jokanovic and appoint Ranieri
Fulham have sacked Slavisa Jokanovic and appointed former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri as manager.
Ranieri, 66, managed Chelsea between 2000 and 2004. In 2016 he sensationally led Leicester City to the Premier League title.
The Italian was sacked by Leicester the following year and has since had a spell in charge of French club Nantes.
Ranieri's long managerial career has also included spells at Napoli, Fiorentina, Juventus, Parma, Roma, Inter Milan, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and the Greek national side.
Jokanovic led Fulham back to the Premier League via the play-offs last season and won plaudits for his side's slick brand of football.
But their open style was disastrous in the top flight and he leaves with the Whites bottom of the table with just five points after 12 matches.
Fulham revealed the change on Wednesday morning, announcing that Ranieri had signed "multi-year" contract at Craven Cottage.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option," said Fulham chairman Shahid Khan.
"So having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
Ranieri said: "It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-axe-jokanovic-and-appoint-ranieri
Claudio Ranieri returns as he replaces Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham manager... and axed boss learned his fate in call from owner Shahid Khan just an hour before announcement
Fulham sit bottom of the Premier League after just one win in opening 12 games
Claudio Ranieri's appointment was confirmed by Shahid Khan on Wednesday
'The objective should never be to merely survive in the Premier League,' he said
Jokanovic led Fulham into the top flight with victory in the play-offs last year
Claudio Ranieri is back in the Premier League and the manager who led Leicester to the top has the task of somehow hauling Fulham off the bottom.
Ranieri was installed at Craven Cottage after Slavisa Jokanovic was sacked, having taken five points from 12 games.
Jokanovic becomes the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season, just six months after securing promotion in the play-off final at Wembley.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/15/6177564-6388055-image-m-54_1542208186869.jpg)
Claudio Ranieri poses inside Craven Cottage after being unveiled as the new Fulham manager
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/15/6177560-6388055-image-m-56_1542208200412.jpg)
Ranieri takes charge of the struggling Premier League club who have made a poor start
Fulham owner and chairman Shahid Khan thanked him for his service and hailed Ranieri as a 'risk-free' appointment and 'ready-made' replacement.
The 67-year-old Italian overcame odds of 5,000-1 as he won the title with Leicester in 2016, only to be sacked nine months later.
He has been out of work since leaving Nantes in the summer after one season with the French club.
'His recent body of work with Leicester is legendary,' said Khan. 'Then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man.'
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/15/6177578-6388055-image-m-61_1542208241091.jpg) (https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/15/6177580-6388055-image-a-62_1542208254877.jpg)
Ranieri is making his first return to the Premier League since being sacked by Leicester City
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/15/6177582-6388055-image-m-63_1542208263932.jpg)
The Italian will be tasked with trying to keep the Cottagers in the top flight this term
Ranieri's priority will be to focus on strengthening a defence which has conceded 31 goals in a dozen games while trying not to lose the threat of Aleksandar Mitrovic and coaxing more from 18-year-old Ryan Sessegnon.
This is the key to restoring confidence and convincing the players they belong in the top flight after a demoralising seven defeats in a row.
'The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League,' said Ranieri. 'We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
'This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away.'
Fulham's next fixture is at home to fellow strugglers Southampton a week on Saturday.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/10/6167596-6388055-image-m-26_1542191621480.jpg)
The 67-year-old has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as manager of Fulham
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/10/6167598-6388055-image-m-28_1542191633996.jpg)
Jokanovic leaves the London club after a poor run of only one win in their opening 12 matches
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/10/6167464-0-image-a-21_1542191243107.jpg)
Fulham owner Shahid Khan claimed hailed Ranieri's appointment as 'risk-free'
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/23/6190476-6388055-Four_managers_had_been_sacked_by_Nov_14_last_season_but_Jokanovi-a-46_1542238507587.jpg)
Four managers had been sacked by Nov 14 last season, but Jokanovic is this year's first
Khan called Jokanovic at 8am on Wednesday to inform him of his decision. Together with his son Tony Khan, Fulham's vice-chairman and director of operations, the owner had sounded out a number of candidates.
They settled on a shortlist which also included Quique Sanchez Flores and Carlos Carvalhal, before settling terms with Ranieri, who introduced Jokanovic to English football when he signed him for Chelsea from Deportivo La Coruna in 2000.
Though not angry, Jokanovic was understood to be perplexed by the timing of his departure since there had been assurances of support since an improved performance in a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
Earlier this week, Fulham's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the Fulham Supporters' Trust he believed in the manager to guide the team through this difficult period. Jokanovic, too, remained confident in his ability to improve the young team.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/10/6167462-6388055-image-a-22_1542191260557.jpg)
Ranieri was sacked by Leicester just months after leading them to the Premier League title
Fulham invested more than £100million in new players in the summer, a recruitment drive led by Tony Khan with input from others including the manager, who was keen to bring in more experienced players able to adapt quickly to the pressures of the Premier League.
None of the signings has been instantly successful. Others have been disastrous and the harmony of last season has been disrupted.
Jokanovic will not receive a bumper pay-off because he was still employed on a contract he signed in the Championship. A deal discussed after promotion had not been agreed.
'At the time he took over, he inherited a directionless squad and a club seemingly in disarray with a restless fanbase,' said Tom Greatrex, chairman of the Fulham Supporters' Trust.
'He was able to produce one of the most admired footballing teams of recent years in the Championship, playing with style and panache.
'Slav will go down as one of the great Fulham managers.'
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/20/6190478-6388055-image-m-31_1542226343631.jpg)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-6388055/Claudio-Ranieri-replace-Slavisa-Jokanovic-Fulham-manager.html
Slavisa Jokanovic sacked: Fulham appoint Claudio Ranieri as new manager
Fulham have sacked Slavisa Jokanovic and appointed Claudio Ranieri as their new manager on a "multi-year" contract.
The Cottagers are bottom of the Premier League table and are without a win in nine games after the defeat at Liverpool last weekend. They have conceded 31 goals in 12 games, a league-leading low.
Jokanovic, who guided the west London side to promotion via the Championship play-offs last term, is replaced by Ranieri who returns to the English top flight for the first time since being sacked by Leicester in February 2017, nine months after famously winning the title with the Foxes.
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history. The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League," the Italian said upon his surprise appointment.
"We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Owner Shahid Khan admits the decision to remove Jokanovic was a tough one but backed Ranieri as a "risk-free" replacement.
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the club and our supporters.
"Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slavisa and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
Ranieri's first game in charge will be against Southampton at Craven Cottage before back-to-back meetings with former clubs Chelsea and Leicester.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/next-fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-sacked-claudio-ranieri-premier-league-epl-a8632856.html
Claudio Ranieri replaces Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham boss
The Italian, who won the 2016 Premier League title with Leicester, given multi-year deal at Fulham
Claudio Ranieri has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham manager with immediate effect.
Ranieri has signed a multi-year contract at Fulham in what is his first job back in the Premier League since managing Leicester City, who he guided to the Premier League title in 2016.
Jokanovic has been sacked after one win from Fulham's opening 12 league matches following their promotion from the Championship, leaving them bottom of the table.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan said he held talks with a number of candidates to replace Jokanovic over the last week, but that Ranieri was a "risk-free" appointment.
It is understood Jokanovic was told about his dismissal via a phone call from Fulham owner Shahid Khan on Wednesday morning.
He was surprised by the decision, Sky Sports News has been told, having felt he had always enjoyed a good working relationship with Khan and had been told he still had the full support of the club's board.
As recently as Monday, the club's chief executive Alastair Mackintosh told the Fulham Supporters' Trust that the club remained supportive of Jokanovic.
In a statement, Ranieri said: "It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Ranieri is expected to bring a backroom staff of six Italians with him to Fulham.
Scott Parker, who became part of Jokanovic's backroom staff in July, is likely to remain as part of Ranieri's backroom team. Raneiri signed former midfielder Parker while at Chelsea in 2004.
Jokanovic was appointed at Fulham in 2015 and delighted fans with an attractive brand of attacking football and a return to the Premier League after four years away.
During their promotion-winning campaign last season, Fulham enjoyed a 23-game unbeaten run under the Serb's management.
Khan said: "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the club and our supporters.
He added: "Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
Until leading Leicester to an unlikely title, Ranieri had an unwanted record of never winning a league title as a manager despite a career spanning a host of top European clubs.
Ranieri has managed Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan in his native Italy, as well as Valencia and Atletico Madrid in Spain, and even a short, unsuccessful spell with the Greece national team.
The 67-year-old finished second with Chelsea, Juventus, Roma and Monaco, but silenced his critics in bringing Leicester their first league title in 2016.
But he was sacked in February of the following campaign with Leicester one point above the relegation zone with 13 matches left.
Ranieri's first game in charge at Craven Cottage will be at home to fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton on November 24.
In the space of three days in early December, Ranieri will face the two clubs he has previously managed in England, Chelsea and Leicester City.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11553819/claudio-ranieri-replaces-slavisa-jokanovic-as-fulham-boss
Claudio Ranieri named new Fulham manager as Slavisa Jokanovic is sacked
Jokanovic guided Fulham to promotion last season but has paid the price for a shocking run of form
Fulham have appointed Claudio Ranieri as their new manager after sacking Slavisa Jokanovic.
Jokanovic has paid the price for a dismal run of form that has seen Fulham drop to bottom of the Premier League.
And they have moved quickly to bring Ranieri back to the Premier League, with the Italian famously guiding Leicester to the title in 2016.
Ranieri said: "It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Jokanovic guided Fulham to promotion via the play-offs last term but this season has not started well.
Fulham have won just one of their first 12 games, conceding 31 goals in the process.
They have lost their last seven matches, the last four without scoring a goal.
Ranieri meanwhile was in charge of Nantes last season after being sacked by Leicester just months after winning the title.
He was pictured at the King Power last weekend as he paid tribute to late Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan said: "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavsa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the club and our supporters.
"Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slavisa and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham."
Tom Greatrex, chair of Fulham Supporters' Trust, said: "He inherited a directionless squad and club seemingly in disarray with a restless fanbase.
"That he was able to produce one of the most admired footballing teams of recent years in the Championship, playing with style and panache to secure promotion at a memorable day at Wembley a few months ago, will always stand as his acheivement.
"That he did so with the backdrop of well publicised disruptive behavour in the background and a quiet and determined dignity despite provocation makes that achievement all the more remarkable.
"We would like to wish Slav well for the future, and he will always go down as one of the great Fulham managers."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-claudio-ranieri-appointed-fulham-13587403
Fulham appoint Claudio Ranieri as manager after sacking Slavisa Jokanovic
• Ranieri described as 'risk-free' appointment by owner
• Jokanovic dismissed with Fulham bottom of table
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c64aff20a204bcbb67861006bda1f381423b19e7/0_128_5106_3064/master/5106.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0ae7f4da9f6b2499ea52acd6e33bfd8b)
Claudio Ranieri has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham manager, marking the Italian's return to the Premier League a little over a year after he was sacked by Leicester City. Photograph: Javier García/BPI/REX/Shutterstock
Fulham have appointed Claudio Ranieri as their manager after sacking Slavisa Jokanovic. The Italian, who led Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016 and has also managed Chelsea, takes over with the club bottom of the Premier League.
Jokanovic has been dismissed after taking five points from 12 matches this season. The Serb led Fulham to promotion last season.
Fulham said Ranieri had signed a "multi-year contract" and their owner, Shahid Khan, said: "Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham football club."
Ranieri – who signed Jokanovic when he was manager of Chelsea in 2000 – was most recently in charge of Nantes, where he left by mutual consent last May after one season, in which the club finished ninth. He was dismissed by Leicester in February 2017, less than a year after winning the title.
"It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri said. "The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/74868b0fb3ccd25c00e28b080ee8b974784f6548/0_127_5518_3311/master/5518.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=98b540a8f204232e37b0a866d8d4eef4)
Claudio Ranieri is seen as a 'risk-free' appointment by Fulham owner Shahid Khan. Photograph: Javier García/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
The sacking of Jokanovic comes less than three weeks after Khan strongly backed the manager amid suggestions that the Serb would be sacked after a summer spend of more than £100m.
"Don't believe anything you read," Khan wrote in Fulham's programme. "The sensational and fictional headlines related to Slavisa; I'm in equal parts amused, astonished and disappointed. Optimism comes naturally knowing we have a head coach who not only understands and appreciates the honour of representing Fulham, but also the past two seasons has found the right formula to hit our stride in time for a strong run in the second half of the campaign."
Jokanovic described himself as a "fantastic coach" before last Saturday's defeat at Liverpool and said his players needed to work harder.
Fulham picked up five points from their opening 12 league fixtures with the defence a major concern. Jokanovic's side conceded 31 goals in those 12 games and had the worst defensive record in the division.
They are, however, only three points behind Southampton in 17th place. After the game against the Saints on 24 November they face Chelsea away, Leicester City at home and Manchester United away.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/14/fulham-appoint-claudio-ranieri-manager-sack-slavisa-jokanovic
Fulham simultaneously appoint Claudio Ranieri manager and sack Slavisa Jokanovic
Fulham have appointed Claudio Ranieri as manager, simultaneously announcing that the previous incumbent Slavisa Jokanovic has been sacked.
In a highly unusual move, Fulham made the double announcement with a post on the club website on Wednesday morning.
Ranieri's last job in England saw him sensationally lead Leicester City to the Premier League title, and he said of his return to the Premier League: "It is an honour to accept Mr. [Shahid] Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri said.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Ranieri's first job in charge will be the home match against Southampton on Saturday November 24.
With Fulham bottom of the table, club owner Khan said he was left with no choice but to dismiss Jokanovic: "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters.
"Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slavisa and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Jokanovic had been in charge since 2015 and led Fulham to the Premier League via the play-offs in May.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/11/14/claudio-ranieri-appointed-fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-sacked/
Fulham replace Jokanovic with Ranieri
Fulham have sacked Slavisa Jokanovic and replaced him with Claudio Ranieri as they attempt to arrest their alarming start to the Premier League season.
Jokanovic, who led the Whites to promotion via the Championship play-offs last season, was dismissed following Sunday's defeat at Liverpool with Fulham bottom of the Premier League. The Cottagers had taken just five points from their first 12 games of the new campaign.
Ranieri, who led Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016, will take charge of his first match after the international break when Southampton visit Craven Cottage on Saturday 24 November. The Italian has signed 'a multi-year contract' to take over the London club.
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: 'Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club'.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/11/fulham-replace-jokanovic-with-ranieri/
Fulham appoint Ranieri as manager
Italian who led Leicester City to 2015/16 title named as replacement for Slavisa Jokanovic
Claudio Ranieri has been appointed the new manager of Fulham.
The former Chelsea and Leicester City manager takes over from Slavisa Jokanovic, who had got Fulham promoted last season but had struggled in the Premier League. Fulham are bottom of the table with five points from 12 matches.
Ranieri led Leicester to the Premier League title in 2015/16 and moves to Craven Cottage on "a multi-year contract".
Fulham are next in action on Saturday 24 November at home to Southampton.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League," Ranieri told Fulham's official website. "We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table.
"I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
https://www.premierleague.com/news/911831
Claudio Ranieri's first words as Fulham sack Slavisia Jokanovic to appoint ex-Leicester manager
Fulham have made a change in the dugout after a poor start to the season
Fulham have sacked Slavisia Jokanovic and replaced the Serbian with former Chelsea and Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian is the first new appointment since the start of the season in the Premier League.
After winning promotion from the Championship last season, the Whites spent over £100million on signings in the summer transfer window.
Unfortunately, this spending spree has so far failed to translate to success on the pitch with the west London currently stuck on the foot of the table with 31 goals conceded in 12 games.
Jokanovic's final game in charge was a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, a fixture they were not expected to win but one that ultimately extended their run of losses to seven matches in all competitions.
In 2015, Ranieri replaced Nigel Pearson at King Power Stadium after Leicester escaped relegation from the Premier League. He went on to lead the Foxes to an unlikely title win in 2016.
Speaking after his appointment was confirmed Ranieri told the official Fulham website :
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Ranieri will take charge of a squad filled with individual quality that lacked cohesiveness under Jokanovic since the summer. Andre Schurrle won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and set up Mario Gotze for the winning goal in the final against Argentina.
Jean Michael Seri was linked with Arsenal and Barcelona prior to joining the Whites from Nice.
After leaving Leicester in 2017, Ranieri went on to manage Nantes in Ligue 1 before leaving his post at the end of last season.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/claudio-ranieris-first-words-fulham-15413628
'Show ambition and get Jokanovic' - Reading FC fans urge club to appoint former Fulham boss
Royals supporters are clamouring for a change in manager to replace Paul Clement
Reading fans have urged the club to appoint Slavisa Jokanovic following his sacking by Premier League strugglers Fulham.
The Serbian led the Whites to the top flight over the summer but have found it difficult to adapt to life this season and was dismissed by the club on Wednesday morning.
It has led to a number of Royals supporters clamouring for their club to make a move to sign Jokanovic, in place of current boss Paul Clement.
Reading are already in a relegation battle and sit 20th in the Championship table on 16 points from 17 games - a run which has seen them pick up just four victories.
Since taking over the club in March, Clement has only overseen six league wins in 25 matches, prompting calls from many supporters for him to be sacked.
And after Fulham's decision to part company with Jokanovic and appoint ex Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri, Royals fans were all saying the same thing on social media - to replace Clement with Jovanovic.
Here is a selection of their thoughts.
George Blair @GeorgeBlairr
We should go after Jokanovic but our board are useless and will drag us down to L1 instead
Jamie Alexander @JAlexander_93
Now we sack Clement and bring in Jokanovic
Ollie @BucOlay
Sack Clement now @ReadingFC and nab Jokanović while you can!
LordCKS @LordCKS
With the managerial sacking season upon us, and the likes of Steve Bruce & now Slaviša Jokanović out of work... it would be business suicide by @ReadingFC to not act. Giving Clement another 2/3 games to lose, will be too late.. I know it won't happen, but can wish
Miles @Milesyyy12
Would love it if we went & got the Fulham manager would show real ambition to get this club back up the right end of the table this season
sasha @sashab4by
Can we have @Jokanovic then?
Luke Potter @readingfc1871fc
Let's get a decent early Christmas gift Clement out
JDM @RFC_Smurf93
There's only one thing that would get the fans back on side now, go and get him!!!
Darren Henwood @DazzaHendo
We are 100% sure that SJ would come if we sacked Clement? Not convinced myself.
Sam Rourke @samrourke_
Jokanovic IN.
Jacob Potter @pott95
Right, #readingfc need to act fast, get rid of Clement and bring in Jokanovic before he is poached by another team.
Brightside @BrightsideRFC
Sack Clement off now...
Show a little ambition and go and get a manager who will turn around our season!!
#ClementOut #jokanovicIN
Theo Bird @TheonlyBird
Sack Clement and get Jovanovic please
https://www.football.london/reading-fc/show-ambition-jokanovic-reading-fc-15413638
Odds On Fulham 'Doing A Leicester' Revealed As Claudio Ranieri Takes Over At Craven Cottage
Claudio Ranieri has made a return to English football this morning to take the reins at Fulham. He'll replace the departed Slaviša Jokanović at Craven Cottage and take on the Serbian's fully-stuffed in-tray, with the club sitting rock bottom of the Premier League.
The Italian, 67, famously won the competition in the 2015-16 season with Leicester City, a 5,000/1 eventually that confounded pundits and bookmakers alike.
As a first order of business the wily old coach will, of course, be looking to get the Cottagers out of immediate trouble. Sitting on a measly five points, they're still odds-against to keep their head above water on their first season back in the top division, having priced up at 7/5 with Ladbrokes.
A talented but underperforming squad that includes Jean Michaël Seri, Aleksandar Mitrović and Ryan Sessegnon, may be able to achieve better than that if their new gaffer can do a bit of shoring up of their defense and they're a meaty 50/1 to finish in the top half this season.
But what about something for the real dreamers out there?
The west Londoners are, perhaps prophetically, chalked up at the same price to bring home the title next season as the Foxes were back in that reality-bursting season.
He couldn't do it again, could he?
No.
https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/odds-on-fulham-doing-a-leicester-revealed-as-claudio-ranieri-takes-over-at-craven-cottage
Fulham fans can breathe easy as Claudio Ranieri not Alan Pardew is new manager
First Premier League manager sacked, Fulham owner describes Claudio Ranieri as a 'risk-free' appointment.
Claudio Ranieri is the new Fulham manager.
Defeat at Liverpool had left the Cottagers rock bottom of the Premier League and an international break is always a likely time for Premier League clubs to change managers.
Slavisa Jokanovic will wonder what might have been if VAR had been introduced, as it is in every other major European league. Fulham getting the very worst of decisions made by officials at Anfield.
It had been expected Jokanovic would get one final chance as Fulham play relegation rivals Southampton at home a week on Saturday – but instead the club have decided a new manager gives them the best chance of kicking on, starting with that next match.
After defeat at Anfield on Saturday, bookies had made Alan Pardew the odds-on 8/11 favourite with Claudio Ranieri second favourite at 4/1. No doubt a fair few Fulham fans grateful that those odds were overturned and the favourite didn't make it past the post.
A bit of an achievement that the Premier League have reached this point before a manager was sacked.
Last season, De Boer (Palace), Shakespeare (Leicester), Koeman (Everton) and Bilic (West Ham) had all been sacked by this time last year, with Pulis (West Brom) the fifth to go on 24 November 2017, with Alan Pardew replacing him.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan describes Claudio Ranieri as a 'risk-free appointment but not too sure you can say that about any managerial appointment in the English top tier.
However, great to see Ranieri back in English football, as well as the miracle he performed at Leicester, he is always great value in press conferences and is definitely one of the good guys.
Interesting to see how he will set this Fulham team up and especially in terms of how Mitro will fit into it.
Official Fulham Statement:
'Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, today announced that he has appointed Claudio Ranieri as Manager of Fulham Football Club, replacing Slaviša Jokanović.
Ranieri, who led Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, was given a multi-year contract to lead Fulham, who currently sit at the bottom of the table with five points from 12 matches. Fulham's next match is Saturday 24th November versus Southampton at Craven Cottage.
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri said. "The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for
Khan thanked Jokanović for his service to Fulham, where he led the Club to two consecutive Play-Off appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium in May to secure promotion to the Premier League.
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slaviša and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters," Khan said. "Slaviša will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slaviša and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Khan said he and his son Tony Khan, Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations at FFC, considered and spoke with a number of potential candidates within the past week, with Ranieri becoming their mutual and obvious choice. Tony Khan and his staff will continue to oversee First Team player recruitment and contractual agreements, and he will work closely with Ranieri.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential," Khan said. "Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/11/fulham-fans-can-breathe-easy-as-claudio-ranieri-not-alan-pardew-is-new-manager-newcastle-united/
Slavisa Jokanovic pays price for naive tactics and Fulham's wasteful summer
Less than three weeks ago Fulham owner Shahid Khan declared he was "in equal parts amused, astonished and disappointed" by talk that Slavisa Jokanovic faced the sack as the club's manager. Now Jokanovic has been dismissed. And football clubs wonder why their public statements are often met with scepticism.
Since Khan's supposedly well-intentioned intervention Fulham have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and lost three more Premier League games so he may well argue that things changed. Two of those defeats were to Manchester City and Liverpool although the losses at home to Bournemouth and away to Huddersfield Town badly damaged Jokanovic's prospects. Those matches - and the fact that we are into an international break which is the last until next spring - mean that Fulham may have felt it was now or never as they sit bottom of the league, three points adrift.
Fulham have made a poor return to the Premier League after a vast return and that summer spend of close to £100million – remarkably the biggest investors after Liverpool and Chelsea - always meant that Jokanovic was under immediate pressure.
Bringing in 12 players in one transfer window – five of them on deadline day – was portrayed as some kind of stroke of genius. It was not. It never could be. There are enough examples out there that such huge recruitment drives simply do not work. Look at what happened at Tottenham Hotspur when they sold Gareth Bale, Liverpool when Luis Suarez went and, most recently, Everton when they bought heavily in the first flush of Farhad Moshiri's ownership.
With Fulham it was always a greater risk given they were a promoted club and one who had come up through the play-offs, so inevitably had less time to get their recruitment right. It was claimed they had been planning, in any case, and maybe so but what it ended up being was a 'live experiment' with Jokanovic tasked with trying to get all the pieces in places, trying to form a new team, while competing in a new league. And the Premier League at that.
There had been serious strains in the past between Jokanovic and the club's hierarchy which exploded around recruitment and who was bringing players in. It was felt Jokanovic had won some kind of power struggle with the signings made last January which helped propel Fulham on their extraordinary run to promotion.
But what happened in the summer? The question needs to be asked as to how many of those arrivals, beyond striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, were ones that Jokanovic had pushed for? It is often said that the club has "backed" the manager but although that is true in the overall financial figure is it true in terms of who was bought?
Beyond that Jokanovic's own contractual situation has not helped, surely. He was in the last year of his deal which made him not only more vulnerable to be sacked but did not feel like a ringing an endorsement from the club. Apparently a contract offer was made but it fell short of what he wanted and so his deal was running down.
Jokanovic undoubtedly made mistakes. His tactics have been naïve. Fulham conceded heavily in the Championship but that was overcome with their attacking, goal-scoring football. In the Premier League their approach was too open and that rarely works in a league where better quality teams do not give up chances and punish mistakes.
Jokanovic chopped and changed. There were so many different defensive combinations, so many different permutations and no sign of a settled team. That was summed up by the goalkeepers with Sergio Rico arriving from Sevilla, where he had been first-choice, on loan on deadline day and Fabri signed from Besiktas to add to Marcus Bettinelli who played such a key role in promotion. All three have featured already this season adding to the sense of uncertainty which has ended in Jokanovic being sacked and Claudio Ranieri brought in.
It has, to adapt Khan's words, been a truly astonishing and disappointing return to the Premier League for Fulham so far. But not an amusing one.
Fulham's next match is on Saturday November 24 versus Southampton – the team just outside the bottom three - at Craven Cottage.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/11/14/slavisa-jokanovic-pays-price-naive-tactics-fulhams-wasteful/
CLAUDIO RANIERI APPOINTED FULHAM MANAGER
Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, today announced that he has appointed Claudio Ranieri as Manager of Fulham Football Club, replacing Slaviša Jokanović.
Ranieri, who led Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, was given a multi-year contract to lead Fulham, who currently sit at the bottom of the table with five points from 12 matches. Fulham's next match is Saturday 24th November versus Southampton at Craven Cottage.
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri said. "The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Khan thanked Jokanović for his service to Fulham, where he led the Club to two consecutive Play-Off appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium in May to secure promotion to the Premier League.
"I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slaviša and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters," Khan said. "Slaviša will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slaviša and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Khan said he and his son Tony Khan, Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations at FFC, considered and spoke with a number of potential candidates within the past week, with Ranieri becoming their mutual and obvious choice. Tony Khan and his staff will continue to oversee First Team player recruitment and contractual agreements, and he will work closely with Ranieri.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential," Khan said. "Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/claudio-ranieri-appointed-fulham-manager/
Slavisa Jokanovic's final words as Fulham boss as Claudio Ranieri replaces him at Craven Cottage
The Serbian has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri in west London
Slavisa Jokanovic has been sacked as Fulham manager following a disastrous start to the new Premier League season.
Winning promotion via the play-offs back in May, the Cottagers are bottom of the table after winning one of their first 12 games.
On the back of seven successive defeats in all competitions, Jokanovic's final game as Fulham boss came at Anfield with his side losing 2-0 against Liverpool.
With the the Serbian now departing Craven Cottage after three years at the helm, former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has been confirmed as his replacement.
The Italian will face Southampton in his first game as boss, with games against former clubs Chelsea and Leicester City coming up in December.
Here's what Jokanovic had to say in his final press conference at Liverpool:
Opening goal disallowed - your view on that?
"When I check the clips now it's Robertson hasn't done a good enough job to squeeze up and my player is onside and scored the goal.
"If the ball is rolling or not rolling after, it's probably yes and in one moment, a crucial moment, instead of 1-0 up we're 1-0 down.
"I don't know, in this country normally you cannot show disrespect to the referee and this is a problem because it's shown disrespect to my team, myself and Fulham supporters.
"What will we do? This is my sensation.
"Okay, it's a bit complicated but you must be sure to take this decision.
"Listen we can talk about this situation for hours, but the damage is done.
"we play against Liverpool, I don't want to say they don't deserve the win, we know they will create chances and score the goals but we didn't defend well on the counter attack, but this counter shouldn't exist.
"It's a completely absurd situation to defend. Yes they catch us in counter, this guy is really fast and finish the action well, but the sensation is we are frustrated, disappointed.
"My team play one decent game against decent opponent, even before we score we have two good chances, we show we can play organised and be solid against one really complicated team.
"I got outside of this place dissatisfied with result and the defeat, but with some positive sensation.
"We make half step forward and if team is showing desire and organisation and positive way to find better performance, we can find better solution."
Look at the players rather than officials, punished when they switched off?
"Listen, it's not so complicated for referees to be in these kind of places against teams like my team.
"Today, many times, he take decision if its foul or not foul.
"This is so dangerous for me, I need to change the speech and say they make fantastic job and didn't make any influence during the game, but what are we going to do?
"This is part of the profession and it's better we don't talk so much about my situation, when I start complaining about this situation, if it's foul before Huddersfield scored the goal against us, people are going to say come on, this is not speech what we expect for yourself."
Mentioned your situation - those that will question whether you'll be in charge vs Southampton - what do you say to those?
"I am not talking about my situation, I am talking about situation of my team.
"I don't know exactly what you want to ask me, my team need improvement and show some positive steps today.
"If you ask me about my positive situation, about my work, i am generally thinking about my team and I am full of confidence.
"We pushed hard with my team and that's it, I am not thinking about gossip or rumours for one coach who is bottom of the Premier League after X games with five points.
"Everything is normal, people are talking about whether I will stay or not, I am really not affected and only focused on trying to find way to support and help my team."
Called out the players on Monday - impressed with the reaction they gave?
"We played decent game against complicated team.
"At the end, we show some signal, if somebody say we never play defensive like today, no, we try find a bit more solidity and at the end Calum Chamber play in holding defensive position and give us more balance, more power.
"He made his job outside of his natural position well and can be one of the options I am thinking about in the future.
"All the team didn't be intention to play this way, sometimes it's complicated to play from the back in a press what they can make against our team.
"But it's definitely a day we showed some different face and we need to be brave and keep going.
"People that come today, solution is in my hands and hands of my players and we must encourage ourself and push forward and be brave for that challenge."
Did you think ball had stopped for their free kick?
"It's not important, if I see or don't see, it's not my job.
"I give opinion, opinion is ball is rolling and I am not referee, to be honest I must check the clips after the game.
"This is what I find."
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovics-final-words-fulham-15413908
Why have Fulham appointed Claudio Ranieri BEFORE announcing Slavisa Jokanovic sacking?
FULHAM have simultaneously announced Slavisa Jokanovic's sacking and Claudio Ranieri's appointment in a very unusual approach.
The Serb has lost his job three months into the Premier League season after earning promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in May.
Jokanovic was left in huge danger after the Cottagers' latest defeat at Liverpool on Sunday as they fell to a 2-0 loss at Anfield.
But going into the international break, there was no confirmation over the manager's future.
Speculation over who could eventually replace Jokanovic continued, with ex-Chelsea and Leicester boss Ranieri seen as one of the contenders.
But the shock double announcement on Wednesday morning has left many fans perplexed as to why Ranieri has been revealed as Jokanovic's successor without his departure being confirmed first.
Starsport looks at the reasons behind Fulham's way of unveiling the big news.
Slavisa Jokanovic
While the 50-year-old had not managed to plug his leaky defence, which has conceded 31 goals in 12 Premier League games, the lack of a proper announcement over his exit could be seen as disrespectful.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder, who was in fact Ranieri's first signing at Stamford Bridge, has been in charge at Craven Cottage since 2015.
He got them playing entertaining and attacking football and earned promotion last season, managing 64 wins in 145 games.
But the club have ultimately decided to act quickly going into the break to give Ranieri as much time working with the squad as possible before they take on relegation rivals Southampton at home next Saturday (November 24).
The must-win game has already been identified by Ranieri, who said: "I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan, meanwhile, said: "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters.
"Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football.
"I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slavisa and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."
Few clubs, though, make such a swift appointment before announcing their manager's departure.
One similar case is at Southampton, who took the same approach when Mauricio Pochettino succeeded Nigel Adkins.
Fulham fans
Tom Greatrex, Chair of Fulham Supporters' Trust, said: "The Fulham Supporters' Trust are disappointed to see Slavisa Jokanovic leave the Club, and want to put on record the thanks and appreciation of Fulham fans for the achievements under his close to three years as manager.
"Earlier this week, the Club stated their wish to see him succeed, and it will continue to be a matter of debate whether this dismissal has come too early. Viewing events only through recent weeks risks missing that at the time he took over as manager, he inherited a directionless squad and club seemingly in disarray with a restless fanbase.
"That he was able to produce one of the most admired footballing teams of recent years in the Championship, playing with style and panache to secure promotion at a memorable day at Wembley a few months ago, will always stand as his achievement.
"That he did so with the backdrop of well publicised disruptive behaviour in the background and a quiet and determined dignity despite provocation makes that achievement all the more remarkable.
"We would like to wish Slav well for the future, and he will always go down as one of the great Fulham managers."
Claudio Ranieri
Khan has opened up on why the club have acted so quickly to land 2016 Premier League title-winner Ranieri.
And it has also been confirmed Khan was talking with potential successors to Jokanovic BEFORE their loss at Liverpool, following from their damaging 1-0 loss at Huddersfield last Monday.
He said: "Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club."
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/742396/Why-Fulham-appointed-Claudio-Ranieri-BEFORE-announcing-Slavisa-Jokanovic-sacking-News?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-football+%28Daily+Star+%3A%3A+Football+Feed%29
Ranieri honoured to lead 'exceptional' Fulham squad
Despite the team propping up the Premier League table, new boss Claudio Ranieri feels Fulham have "exceptional" talent.
Claudio Ranieri is setting his sights higher than just Premier League survival after being appointed Fulham's new manager.
Former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Ranieri replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday after signing a "multi-year" contract, with Fulham stuck at the bottom of the table on five points.
Fulham were among the Premier League's highest spenders in the last transfer window, spending approximately £100million to bolster their squad following promotion from the Championship.
Jean Seri, previously linked with Barcelona, was among the eye-catching arrivals, while World Cup winner Andre Schurrle also signed, as well as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson.
But Jokanovic was unable to muster a winning formula this term, losing his last six league games in charge and leading Fulham to only one victory in the Premier League.
Ranieri, a Premier League winner with Leicester in the 2015-16 season, feels the talent at Fulham means they should be looking up the league table.
"It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," Ranieri told the club's website.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
Ranieri's first game in charge will be against Southampton on November 24, while his former club Leicester visit Craven Cottage early next month.
Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ranieri-honoured-lead-exceptional-fulham-squad#vKZu0OU2FvIXFwOR.99
'Up the Fulham' - Leicester City fans might have a new favourite second team after Claudio Ranieri appointment
The Premier League winner has a different task at Craven Cottage - and City fans want him to do well
Leicester City fans might have found themselves a new second team after Claudio Ranieri's appointment at Fulham today.
The former Foxes boss joins the struggling Cottagers, who are bottom of the Premier League, on a "multi-year deal".
However, City fans' goodwill won't extend to December 5, when Claude Puel's side travel to West London, and when Ranieri returns to the King Power in the away dugout on March 9.
Nevertheless, the overwhelming sentiment is clear from the Foxes faithful: they want Ranieri to be a success on the banks of the River Thames.
Jamie Austin: UP THE FULHAM! #ffc #lcfc
Phil: Good luck at Fulham Claudio
Jase Bayliss: Good luck to King Claudio. Not on Wednesday 5th obvs. Up The City
Colin Hall: Best wishes to Claudio as he tries to keep Fulham up.
As long as he can sort out the dodgy defence, they have enough quality players to survive with some comfort.
Wonder if he'll try to recruit some City cast-offs come January?
Mark Grimbo: Made up to see Ranieri back in the Premier League. Nothing but respect for that man.
Jake Smalley: Fulham to win the Premier League!
Tom Chalmers: A mixture of emotions this morning - Claudio Ranieri, deliverer of the greatest sporting experience of my lifetime, to manage Fulham. Great to have him back but not sure how I'll cope seeing him with someone else...
Cristi Bratu: Good luck Ranieri! Treat him well.
Simon Robert Eaton: Will an opposition managers name ever be sang as loudly as when the Don comes to the King Power?
Joe Diamond: Fulham away next month just got a bit tasty.
Oliver Samuals: Ranieri at Fulham, feels wrong.
Christian Hewgill: Claudio Ranieri back. As a Leicester fan I still feel very protective over him and I think my heart will hurt a little bit when I see him in the Premier League managing another club. That said, good luck Fulham. Hope you stay up.
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/claudio-ranieri-leicester-city-fulham-2217988
"Fulham Have More Intent Than Manchester United" Football Fans React As Claudio Ranieri Returns To The Premier League With Fulham
Football fans were stunned this morning as Fulham announced they had replaced the manager who had got them promoted to the Premier League, Slavisa Jokanovic, with the charismatic Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri, of course, is most well-known for leading Leicester to the most surprising of Premier League title wins in 2016 but his most recent spell in football management was in France, with Nantes. Now he is back in the Premier League to some people's delight and other's bemusement.
FulhamJon on Twitter said: "Well we are either going to win the league or get relegated."
Meanwhile, a whole host of Fulham fans were gutted at the sacking of Jokanovic, a man who turned their club around and lead them to the Premier League via the play-offs last season.
AK said: "@Jokanovic you bought back happy, flowing football to @FulhamFC. You & your staff stuck with making Fulham an attractive team to watch & I for one loved it. You took us to
Wembley & got us to the BPL. Very sad to see you leave. All the best Slav. "
Patrick Dodds was not pleased: "No respect for the best manager we've had in near 10 years. Very poorly done."
Meanwhile, Adam Norton shared a similar sentiment and thanked Fulham's departed gaffer: "Whether you wanted him gone or not, Joka will go down in our record books. Did an excellent job getting us from relegation contenders to promotion favourites. We at Fulham, thank you for everything you've done @Jokanovic"
@RealistYahz on Twitter was full of praise about this appointment: "What a signing to be honest. Even Fulham have more intent than Manchester United"
https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/fulham-have-more-intent-than-manchester-united-football-fans-react-as-claudio-ranieri-returns-to-the-premier-league-with-fulham
Steve Sidwell gives his immediate reaction to Fulham hiring Claudio Ranieri
Premier League bottom club Fulham surprisingly appointed former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri as Slavisa Jokanovic's replacement on Wednesday.
Be honest, who saw this coming?
It was no secret that Slavisa Jokanovic was under pressure at Fulham after a dreadful start to the Premier League season that has seen them lose their last seven games, sitting bottom of the table with a bleak five points so far.
But there was no indication that he would be given the boot on Wednesday morning – or that Claudio Ranieri would be immediately appointed as Jokanovic's successor.
Two years after leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in stunning fashion, the 67-year-old is back in English football, though saving this Fulham side from an immediate return to the Championship represents a very different task.
But speaking to Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT (14 November, 9.30am), former Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is already backing Ranieri to keep The Cottagers up – and believes he is the right man to solve their much-publicised defensive problems.
"There's no way Fulham will want to go back down. I still speak at people at Fulham and they conceded far too many goals, they're obviously very naïve and it happened many, many times," Sidwell said.
"There's a few tweaks that could've happened (under Jokanovic). With Leicester, (Ranieri) was keeping clean sheets.
"I'd have to say yes (Ranieri will keep Fulham up). They've got all the ingredients to do it, they just need to fine tune a few things, in particular the defensive unit straight away."
Leicester conceded just 36 goals during their unforgettable 2015/16 season under the veteran tactician, just seven more than Fulham have let in during the opening 12 games of the current campaign.
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/11/14/do-steve-sidwell-gives-his-immediate-reaction-to-fulham-hiring-c/
Ranieri set to take on some familiar facesAfter Southampton match, new Fulham manager to face previous two PL teams he has managed Claudio Ranieri will be facing familiar opponents soon after his appointment as the new manager of Fulham.
His first match is at home to Southampton, against whom a victory would pull Fulham level with their opponents on eight points.
Ranieri's next two opponents are teams he has managed in the Premier League.
Fulham's next eight matches| Date | Opp | Date | | Opp |
| 24 Nov | SOU (H) | 15 Dec | | WHU (H) |
| 02 Dec | CHE (A) | 22 Dec | | NEW (A) |
| 05 Dec | LEI (H) | 26 Dec | | WOL (H) |
| 08 Dec | MUN (A) | 29 Dec | | HUD (H) |
Fulham make their shortest away trip of the season on 2 December to Stamford Bridge, where Ranieri was manager of Chelsea for three years, leading them into the UEFA Champions League in his final season, 2003/04.
Then, three days later, Fulham welcome Ranieri's most recent club and the one where he achieved his greatest success, Leicester City.
The season after Leicester had escaped relegation with a late-season surge Ranieri came in and led the Foxes to an improbable title success in 2015/16.
Ranieri was at King Power Stadium last weekend for the tributes to the late Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the four others who died in the recent helicopter crash.
After the Leicester match, Fulham face a tough trip to Manchester United but their four matches thereafter are all against teams in the bottom half of the table.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/911841
Festive Football(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/tickets/2018-19/festive_football_website-news-story-inside-image_622x278px_awk.jpg?w=622&h=278)
18/19 Members can now purchase four tickets each to Fulham's home Premier League matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town.Adult Members can also take advantage of their exclusive £5 ticket discount to both these matches, with a £3 ticket discount available for concessions.
Wolverhampton WanderersThe Whites will be spending Boxing Day in SW6 for the first time in six years when we welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Craven Cottage on Wednesday 26th December, kick-off 12:30pm.
The boys will be looking to repeat last season's win over Wolves when we ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrović.
Huddersfield TownThree days later we return to Craven Cottage when we take on Huddersfield Town on Saturday 29th December, kick-off 3pm.
In what will be the Whites' last game of the calendar year, kick-start your New Years celebrations and enjoy Premier League action in SW6.
Priced from £30 adults and £20 juniors, tickets to both fixtures are available online at fulhamfc.com/tickets, by phone on 0203 871 0810 or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/14/festive-football
The full story behind Slavisa Jokanovic's sacking at Fulham
Fulham news includes a look at the story behind Jokanovic's sacking at Craven Cottage
Slavisa Jokanovic was only told this morning over the phone that he had been relieved of his duties at Fulham.
Shahid Khan announced on Wednesday that Claudio Ranieri would be taking over the reins at Craven Cottage, signing a multi-year deal with Fulham after holding talks with both Khan and Tony Khan over the past week.
It comes with the side rock-bottom of the Premier League and winless in seven games, although Fulham's performance at Liverpool in the 2-0 defeat was far more encouraging than what we've seen in recent weeks.
Just over two weeks ago Khan publicly backed Jokanovic before the AFC Bournemouth match, where he slammed the 'sensational and fictional' headlines that stated he would be sacked if he lost to both the Cherries and Huddersfield Town.
However, Fulham's statement revealed that Khan had spoken with a number of candidates over the manager's role during the past week, despite Jokanovic still being head coach and unaware that his time at Craven Cottage was at an end.
That in itself is unusual for a club to openly admit, but only on Monday, in a monthly meeting with the Fulham Supporters' Trust, Chief Executive Alistair Mackintosh told those present that the club remained supportive of Jokanovic and wanted him to be successful at Fulham.
He also stated that it was down to his coaching methods and leadership that the club were promoted to the Premier League and that they wanted him to be the man to steer them through this difficult run of form.
Going forward from here, Khan confirmed in his statement that Khan jnr will continue to oversee player recruitment and contract renewals and will work close with Ranieri on both fronts.
Fulham face Southampton at Craven Cottage after the international break in what is a crucial tie for both clubs, with a win for the Cottagers taking them level on points with the Saints.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/full-story-behind-slavisa-jokanovics-15414170
Arsene Wenger rejected Fulham before Claudio Ranieri appointment
The Frenchman decided to turn down the Premier League strugglers as they looked to replace Slavisa Jovanovic
Arsene Wenger turned down a sensational return to management with Fulham before Claudio Ranieri was appointed.
As we predicted last month, the Premier League's bottom side finally axed Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday after the Serb lost the confidence of the Craven Cottage board.
Following defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield, Fulham sounded out former Arsenal boss Wenger with the promise of substantial funds to further strengthen the side in January.
But he stuck to his insistence he won't take another top flight job in England out of respect to the Gunners, where he was in charge for 22 years until this summer.
Fulham instead turned to Ranieri to replace Jokanovic and Mirror Sport understands the 67-year-old will get a huge January war chest to strengthen an ailing squad.
Arsene Wenger turned down a sensational return to management with Fulham before Claudio Ranieri was appointed.
As we predicted last month, the Premier League's bottom side finally axed Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday after the Serb lost the confidence of the Craven Cottage board.
Following defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield, Fulham sounded out former Arsenal boss Wenger with the promise of substantial funds to further strengthen the side in January.
But he stuck to his insistence he won't take another top flight job in England out of respect to the Gunners, where he was in charge for 22 years until this summer.
Fulham instead turned to Ranieri to replace Jokanovic and Mirror Sport understands the 67-year-old will get a huge January war chest to strengthen an ailing squad.
The Italian, who oversaw Leicester's 5,000-1 Premier League title miracle in 2016 but was fired less than a year later, said: "The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table.
"I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage.
"It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history."
Owner Shahid Khan admitted holding talks with Ranieri behind Jokanovic's back.
The US businessman said: "Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio's calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential."
Fulham, who went on a £100million spending spree after winning promotion in the summer, want to sign two defenders and are also seeking more firepower after managing just 11 Premier League goals in the 12 games so far this season.
The west Londoners had been ready to give such backing to Wenger in the hope that his capture would have convinced quality players to join their fight for survival.
Khan and son Tony are close to Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke through NFL circles — Khan also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kroenke the Los Angeles Rams.
Wenger is waiting for a big European job.
He insists he will return to work in January and is surprised he has yet to receive an offer from one of the European powerhouses.
The 69-year-old has turned down interest from China as he wants to be a day-to-day manager in Europe rather than take a director of football role.
The Frenchman has been linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and would be keen on another huge challenge.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-rejected-fulham-before-13588051
Chelsea and Fulham youngsters shine in England Under-19 win
Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Fulham's Steven Sessegnon scored as England's Under-19s began their European Championship qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win against Moldova.
Gallagher (pictured) put England ahead in the first half and they added three more goals after the break, with Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Danny Loader of Reading also scoring.
Gallagher was one of six Chelsea academy products to feature in the game, which was played in Turkey.
Fellow Blues youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tariq Lamptey, George McEachran and Marc Guehi also played.
So too did Jonathan Panzo, who moved to Monaco from Chelsea during the summer.
https://www.westlondonsport.com/chelsea/hudson-odoi-conor-gallagher-england-u19
Slavisa Jokanovic was Claudio Ranieri's first Chelsea signing ... now he has been replaced by him as Fulham boss
Claudio Ranieri has replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham, but this is not the first time the pair have impacted each other's careers.
When Ranieri was appointed as Chelsea manager in 2000, he immediately set about bolstering his squad with fresh talent.
Having spent the previous three seasons managing in Spain, with Valencia and then Atletico Madrid, Ranieri looked to La Liga for this first signing: a 32-year-old Slavisa Jokanovic from Deportivo for £1.7 million.
Jokanovic was brought in on a two-year contract to fill the void left in central midfield after Roberto Di Matteo suffered a broken leg.
The Serbian went on to make over 50 appearances for Chelsea but was far from a fan favourite. So much so that, upon his release at the end of his contract, the Chelsea website wrote: "He wasn't the most popular player with the fans but his input was always appreciated by the staff and players."
As the Evening Standard reported at the time: "The 33-year-old was notoriously unpopular with Chelsea fans and was regularly barracked whenever he came on the field, most notably as a substitute during the club's FA Cup semi-final against Fulham in April."
Jokanovic apologised to Chelsea supporters for his performances after being released on a free.
He said: "I know that in some games the supporters weren't very happy with me, but every time I pulled on the Chelsea shirt I tried to do well.
"That was all I could do and I know if I look myself in the mirror I can say I always tried my best.
"I understand that sometimes that wasn't good enough for the supporters and for that I'm sorry, but I always tried. It's true I was a regular and played a lot of games last season, but I know I played well in some matches and not so well in others.
"I was too inconsistent. The fans must know I tried to play well every time I played."
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovic-was-claudio-ranieri-s-first-chelsea-signing-now-he-has-been-replaced-by-him-as-a3989811.html
Khan fires Fulham coach, hires former Leicester City boss
Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired the head coach of his other club, Fulham, with the London-based team mired in last place in England's Premier League.
Shad Khan has dropped the axe on his latest coach hire on the other side of the Atlantic, but Doug Marrone doesn't need to worry just yet.
The Jaguars' owner fired Slavisa Jokanovic, manager of Khan's Premier League club Fulham, on Wednesday morning with Fulham in last place in England's top flight.
Khan has appointed Claudio Ranieri, the Italian who guided Leicester City to an improbable Premier League trophy in 2015-16, as Fulham's new manager.
Jokanovic, a 50-year-old from Serbia, is the fifth manager dismissed since Khan purchased Fulham in July 2013, following Martin Jol, Rene Meulensteen, Felix Magath and Kit Symons.
In a statement issued by the club, Khan said, "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters. Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football."
The firing marks the latest bump in a dual-continent disappointment for the Jaguars' owner, whose son Tony serves as Fulham's vice chairman and director of football operations.
Much like the Jaguars, Fulham has watched a once-promising season collapse into disarray. The club entered the season with high hopes after earning promotion in May, but after 12 games, Fulham languishes in 20th and last place with five points (one win, two draws and nine losses), in severe danger of being relegated in its first year back in the top tier.
Fulham has lost its last seven matches, six in the Premier League and one in England's League Cup, by a combined score of 20-3.
Khan is banking on a turnaround under Ranieri, who directed one of the most memorable underdog stories in professional soccer.
The 67-year-old led Leicester City from the brink of relegation to the English title in 2016, a near worst-to-first story that made world headlines. However, his following season brought the return of struggle, and he was dismissed in February 2017 with Leicester once more under relegation threat. His most recent job, at French club FC Nantes, ended in May.
Ranieri has managed more than 15 clubs during his career, including Fulham's West London neighbor and rival Chelsea from 2000 to 2004. In a coincidental twist, Jokanovic played 39 games under Ranieri as Chelsea's anchor of the midfield during that stint.
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20181114/khan-fires-fulham-coach-hires-former-leicester-city-boss
Claudio Ranieri sets sights high after replacing Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham
Claudio Ranieri has his sights set higher than mere Premier League survival following his return to management at Fulham.
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan announced via a statement on the club's website on Wednesday morning that Slavisa Jokanovic had been sacked and replaced by Ranieri, who memorably led Leicester to the title in 2016.
Ranieri has been given a "multi-year" contract as Fulham hope a change of manager will lift them off the bottom of the table, after Jokanovic managed just five points from 12 Premier League matches.
It is a disappointing return for a club who were among the Premier League's highest spenders in the summer, shelling out approximately £100million to bolster their squad following promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
Jean Michael Seri, previously linked with Barcelona, was among the eye-catching arrivals, while World Cup winner Andre Schurrle also signed, as well as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson.
Ranieri believes there is "exceptional talent" in the Fulham squad and he is already looking up the table ahead of what will be his first game in charge against fellow strugglers Southampton at Craven Cottage on November 24.
"It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," said Ranieri, who has had a spell in charge of French Ligue 1 side Nantes since leaving Leicester in February 2017.
"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-11-14/claudio-ranieri-sets-sights-high-after-replacing-slavisa-jokanovic-at-fulham/
Slavisa Jokanovic made Fulham great again - his impact will be felt for years to come
Fulham reporter Ryan O'Donovan has taken a look back at Jokanovic's time at Fulham and why he will always be remembered
Slavisa Jokanovic's time at Fulham should not be remembered by the past three weeks, but rather by the almost three years that saw him transfer the club into the Barcelona of the Championship.
Before the Serbian arrived at Craven Cottage, the outlook was bleak and the club was facing the real possibility of relegation to the third tier of English football after a fall from grace in the Premier League.
The Europa League cup run and top ten finishes were but a distant memory, with the shadow of Felix Magath more prominent as the club slipped further and further down the table.
But on December 27 2015, that all changed as Shahid Khan announced the appointment of Jokanovic after a lengthy search for their new head coach.
He kept them up that season, and that's when the real magic began to happen.
The next campaign saw Fulham finish in the play-offs, playing attractive, attacking football that fans could only have dreamed of seeing the season before.
And while the season ultimately ended in defeat in the play-offs to Reading, hope had been restored to SW6 that the Premier League wasn't a distant memory, but something to aspire to again with Jokanovic at the helm.
However, 2017/18 started poorly, and by November the side were 17th in the Championship with promotion looking unlikely and there were calls for Jokanovic to leave.
But from December onwards, Jokanovic and Fulham would give fans one of their best memories of supporting the club, going on a 23-game unbeaten run where the club rocked up at any and every ground with the outlook that they were going to win, and win with style.
Wolves, who are doing so well in the Premier League this season, came to the Cottage and were sent back to the Midlands with their tails between their legs as Fulham's charge to promotion continued to gain momentum.
And then came Wembley - day that fans will remember forever as Jokanovic guided Fulham back to the Premier League.
For me, Jokanovic will forever be remembered at Craven Cottage for the man that brought hope back to the club, imprinting that in a classy football side that feared no one.
He wasn't without his faults - he had a tenancy to make some strange decisions with his starting line ups while his outbursts in press conferences over transfer policies will only have strained the relationship between him and the hierarchy at Fulham.
His inability to find a defence and adapt his tactics, for the most part this season, also contributed to his eventual sacking, but for me Jokanovic was always going to be fall guy for a summer experiment that, at the moment, sees Fulham bottom of the table.
To expect him to be able to find a team that was able to fire on all cylinders and hold their own in the Premier League, the most competitive league in the world, after a summer that saw 12 new faces come in, with the majority of those late in the window, was always an expectation that was too high.
It was a thankless task to try and develop such a new team into one that could compete in the top flight, and Jokanovic would always be the fall guy were it to fail.
He deserved his shot at the Premier League, and while we didn't see the football that we had grown so used to seeing in the past few seasons, it's not those games that he should be remembered by.
It's the attacking full backs, Tom Cairney's role in midfield cutting teams apart and Aleksandar Mitrovic's 12 goals in 16 games that fans should look back on and remember from Jokanovic's time at Fulham.
It's the 23-game unbeaten run, Ryan Sessegnon's 16-goal season and the scenes on the hallowed Wembley turf in May.
It's seeing Fulham lift a trophy at the national stadium.
And let's not forget the impact the Serbian has had on youth at the club.
He wasn't afraid to blood young talent in his side, from Sessegnon's debut at 16 at Leyton Orient to Harvey Elliott becoming the youngest ever player to play for the side - Jokanovic's impact on the club will be felt for years to come.
Jokanovic came to Fulham at a time when there was a feeling of doom and gloom around the club, but three and a bit years later than has been eradicated and replaced with one of identity through the football he had the club playing.
It's clear from social media and from speaking to fans that his sacking, whether they think it was right or wrong, has left a huge hole in the fabric of Fulham.
That will take time to fill - Claudio Ranieri, with his charisma and quirky anecdotes has the ability to do that, but the feeling of togetherness that Jokanovic got the club feeling, especially last season, will never be replaced.
It didn't end how everyone hoped, but Jokanovic's name will forever be remembered by Fulham for what he did for the club in turning it around and giving them a sense of identity again.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovic-made-fulham-great-15414424
Fix the shambolic defence, choose a keeper and get maverick Aleksandar Mitrovic firing again: What Claudio Ranieri must do to keep Fulham up
Claudio Ranieri has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham manager
The Italian has been tasked with avoiding relegation from the Premier League
To succeed, Ranieri must start by fixing the large problems at Craven Cottage
They include sorting out the league's worst defence and picking his No 1 keeper
Having climbed to the very top with Leicester, Claudio Ranieri will return at the bottom of the Premier League with Fulham.
The challenge is clear: rescue the season and save the club from relegation without completely abandoning the popular attacking principles embedded by Slavisa Jokanovic during their promotion campaign.
Then, next season, improve.
At 67, Ranieri will need all of his experience to pull this off and he will need to start at the back.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/12/6170366-0-image-a-25_1542196910022.jpg)
Claudio Ranieri has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as Fulham try to stay in the Premier League
Sort the worst defence in the Premier League out
Fulham have been brutally exposed in defence.
In the Championship they were able to overpower teams especially when they added the aerial presence of Aleksandar Mitrovic to the pace and skill of Ryan Sessesgnon and the midfield vision of Tom Cairney.
In the Premier League, stronger teams have found it easier to keep them out and punish them on the break. It is a ruthless league.
In their first 12 games, Fulham have conceded 31 goals and have a goal difference of minus 20, which will prove problematic in what is shaping up to be a tight relegation contest.
Jokanovic, it was said, devoted much of his time on the training pitch to work on tactics and possession. Ranieri is sure to start by focusing more acutely on ways to tighten up and stop conceding goals.
Decide on his first-choice keeper and stick with him
Fulham signed two new keepers in the summer and with Marcus Bettinelli also at the club they don't seem to know which one is the best. Fabri started the season but has not appeared since August.
Goalkeeping coach Sambede Carreira, who was thought to have recommended signing Fabri from Besiktas for £5million, left soon afterwards.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6388667/Fix-shambolic-defence-Mitrovic-firing-Ranieri-Fulham-up.html
Claudio Ranieri at Fulham: Cottagers hope Italian can reinvent spirit
Claudio Ranieri is always a welcome presence in the Premier League - with even neutrals warming to the dignity, class and gentle humour of the man who was sacked after taking Chelsea to the Champions League semi-final before producing one of the greatest feats of management in sporting history at Leicester City.
The 67-year-old Italian replaces Slavisa Jokanovic as manager of bottom club Fulham, a little over two years after masterminding arguably the biggest surprise in British sport at the King Power Stadium in 2015-16.
His popularity sometimes overshadows the years of experience Ranieri has gathered in the game at elite locations such as Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Juventus, Inter Milan and Monaco.
It is this experience Fulham owner Shahid Khan is calling on when he describes Ranieri as "risk-free and ready-made" for Fulham and the Premier League. He will enjoy his new manager's popularity but he will also want his pragmatism and expertise to get results.
Ranieri's warm personality will lift some of the clouds over Fulham in an instant and they will also garner support among neutrals purely because of the Italian's presence.
Yes, it did go wrong in the final months at Leicester City but his methods were still enough to take an unheralded squad to unimaginable heights in the previous season.
And they were not always conventional.
Who can forget Ranieri's imaginary "dilly-ding dilly-dong" bell he claimed to use when players were not paying attention - even giving his players a small bell as a light-hearted Christmas present?
Earlier in that glorious campaign Ranieri complained about a lack of clean sheets, promising his players a pizza as a reward. He duly delivered with a trip for his squad to a local pizzeria after his demand was fulfilled.
Ranieri's man-management also fostered the sort of spirit Khan hopes he can reinvent at Fulham.
Leicester City's players asked for a break if they got nine points from three tough games in February 2016. A last-minute loss at Arsenal meant they only got six - but Ranieri gave them their holiday anyway.
And to show his human side, he spent the day Leicester City clinched the title - when Spurs only drew with Chelsea - in Rome celebrating his mother's 96th birthday.
When his arrival at Leicester was questioned he said: "I like to travel. I like to discover new places. I am like Christopher Columbus."
But will charm and affability be enough for what he will he discover at Craven Cottage?
Can popular Ranieri get tough?
There is no doubt that Ranieri's charisma will be crucial in lifting spirits at a club that started the season high on optimism before plummeting to the foot of the table, despite spending £100m in the summer following promotion from the Championship.
And Khan will be hoping he gets the Ranieri who inspired Leicester City to the Premier League on a tidal wave of momentum that saw his 'Tinkerman' reputation ditched in favour of continuity - although this Fulham side will certainly need some tweaking to achieve its potential.
Khan will not want the second-season scenario at Leicester, where Ranieri's glory boys quickly went off the rails and the manager lost his sure touch to such an extent that he was sacked only nine months after his greatest moment, with the Foxes one point off the relegation zone.
Ranieri also left amid suggestions of discontent among the players and his own backroom staff. It was certainly not a happy ending to that mercurial management tenure.
Khan, then, will want a manager with fire in his belly and a determination to end his Premier League story on a high after the disappointing end to his short time at Leicester, although the love he still inspires at the King Power was illustrated when he was back recently to pay tribute to owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha following his death in a helicopter crash.
What are Ranieri's biggest priorities?
Ranieri will walk into Fulham's secluded Surrey training ground and Craven Cottage to find plenty of sympathy for Jokanovic, who was actually his first signing as Chelsea manager.
Jokanovic took Fulham into the Premier League playing attractive attacking football and Tom Greatrex, chairman of the club's Supporters' Trust, said in a glowing testimonial: "He will always go down as one of the great Fulham managers."
Indeed, it was only two weeks ago that owner Khan delivered combative support for Jokanovic in his programme notes for the home game with Bournemouth in response to stories he was facing the sack, writing: "I'm in equal parts amused, astonished and disappointed. I ask you not to believe everything you read. Or, in this case, don't believe anything you read."
The subsequent 3-0 loss to the Cherries, a damaging 1-0 reverse at fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town and Sunday's defeat at Liverpool meant things changed quickly - as Ranieri knows they can after his own sacking at Leicester.
Now he must use his well-honed brand of charm and personal magnetism to not only lift a team short on confidence and low on morale, but also apply a fix to serious flaws in a Fulham side that was expected to live comfortably in the Premier League.
Fulham spent big in the summer to confirm the loan signing of Aleksdandar Mitrovic from Newcastle United for £20m and bring in the likes of Jean Michael Seri from Nice for £25m, Marseille midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for £22.3m and Germany World Cup winner Andre Schurrle on loan from Borussia Dortmund, as well as Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson for a deal that could eventually be worth £20m.
There have been questions about how many of these deals were at Jokanovic's request but only Mitrovic has been a real success and the result has been an imbalanced, uninspired side that has lost its best attacking qualities and has also conceded more goals than anyone else in the Premier League - 31 - and has the worst goal difference at minus 20.
Curing that defensive flaw will be his biggest challenge but he has proved he can do it before - while also getting those big-money buys to justify those lavish price tags.
Ranieri will arrive at Fulham on a tide of goodwill, despite replacing the much-admired Jokanovic, but Fulham's situation is so serious he may not be able to use the light touch immediately as one of management's most enduring and popular characters gets back to business.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46209650
Ranieri's Leicester blueprint will help Fulham tighten up and climb the table
Early on in Leicester's now legendary 2015/16 season, Claudio Ranieri's side struggled badly defensively and only kept their first clean sheet on 25 October 2015.
The Foxes conceded 17 goals in their opening ten matches before Ranieri settled on a more defensively minded pair of full-backs in Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs and created a much sturdier back four.
We all know how the rest of the season panned out once that solid bedrock was established and now Ranieri takes over a Fulham side which is leaking goals at an alarming rate.
The malaise is deeper, but Ranieri has shown his ability to tighten up a defence in a side that was struggling and that will stand him in very good stead at Craven Cottage.
The Italian will arguably working with a more talented array of raw materials than the defence he inherited at Leicester, but the key is deciding on a formula and sticking to it.
Slavisa Jokanovic's problem was almost that he had too many options. He would choose a back four for a game and after they failed to keep the goals out, he had expensively recruited options knocking on his door asking to be put in for the next game and the chopping and changing ultimately cost him his job.
If Ranieri follows his Leicester blueprint, he should not make similar mistakes.
https://tbrfootball.com/ranieris-leicester-blueprint-will-help-fulham-tighten-up-and-climb-the-table/
Claudio Ranieri's managerial career in numbers
Claudio Ranieri has taken over as Fulham manager, replacing the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at the Leicester title-winner's managerial career in numbers.
17 – teams managed by Ranieri – Fulham are his 16th club, in four different countries and with two spells at Valencia, while he also briefly managed the Greece national team.
209 – Premier League matches as a manager for Ranieri in six seasons with Chelsea and Leicester, winning almost half of them (104). He has over 1,000 games as a manager across his career.
5,000-1 – Leicester's title odds in 2015-16 when Ranieri led them to glory. Fulham are currently available at the same odds with several bookmakers to claim the crown this season.
10 – their winning margin in points as they lost only three games all season – home and away to runners-up Arsenal, and against Liverpool at Anfield.
10 – Ranieri is one of only 10 managers to win the league title in the Premier League era. Only Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have more than one title.
297 – days between Leicester winning the league and Ranieri being sacked following a terrible start to the 2016-17 season.
4 – his reign with Greece lasted just four matches, before a defeat to the Faroe Islands saw him sacked.
39 – all of Jokanovic's Premier League appearances came under Ranieri's management at Chelsea, having been the Italian's first signing for the club.
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/claudio-ranieris-managerial-career-in-numbers_341550.html
This is when Claudio Ranieri will return to the King Power Stadium with Fulham
The former Leicester City boss has a new job - and it's sure to be an emotional reunion with his old side
The news that Claudio Ranieri is returning to the Premier League with Fulham has evoked some strong memories among the Leicester City fanbase.
Ranieri has joined the Cottagers on a "multi-year-deal" - his first return to English football since departing the King Power Stadium last year having steered City to an improbable Premier League title.
The Italian returned to the King Power for his first game on Saturday as the club paid tribute to chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha following his death in a tragic helicopter accident at the end of last month.
But he will head back to Leicester as a manager of a club for the first time on March 9 - and it's sure to be another emotional afternoon at the home of the Foxes.
If you can't wait until then and want to serenade Ranieri with thanks, you can do so when the Foxes head down to West London on December 5 (7.45pm).
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/claudio-ranieri-fulham-leicester-city-2218632
Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham sacking is still a surprise... he did an incredible job
Nobody should forget the incredible job that Slavisa Jokanovic did at Craven Cottage.
When he took over in December 2015, he inherited a listless, directionless squad and the fanbase were extremely restless. There was disruption behind the scenes, which he handled with quiet determination and dignity.
From that, he built a team who played some of the best football the Championship has ever seen and gave Fulham fans one of the greatest days in memory earlier this year — the Play-off Final victory over Aston Villa at Wembley in May. Members of the Supporters' Trust met Alistair Mackintosh, the club's chief executive, earlier this week.
While we were aware of the speculation about Jokanovic's future that had followed the run of poor results, there was little sense from that meeting that he was about to lose his job.
So today's news has come as a bit of a surprise.
Claudio Ranieri has a big job to do to try to keep Fulham in the Premier League. He was a likeable, popular manager of Leicester, who led them to the Premier League title and was surely sacked too soon the season after he achieved that.
This is a good chance for him to demonstrate that he is still a top-level manager, so I hope he can show he is and that we can survive in the Premier League this year. Yes, it is a gamble, as he has not worked in English football since his sacking in 2017 but he has shown he is adept at assessing a squad and building a competitive team.
We have some good players at Fulham but they just haven't managed to gel this season. That is Ranieri's first challenge.
Whatever happens, though, we should all be grateful to Jovanovic.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovics-fulham-sacking-is-still-a-surprise-he-did-an-incredible-job-a3990006.html
Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon issues heartfelt message to sacked boss Jokanovic
Ryan Sessegnon has issued a heartfelt message to Slavisa Jokanovic after Fulham sacked the Serbian boss on Wednesday.
Jokanovic, 50, took over the Cottagers when in December 2015 and saw them reach the play-offs in consecutive seasons between 2016-18, winning promotion last season.
His time at the club coincided with the development of wonderkid Sessegnon, who notched 16 goals and eight assists in the league last season.
Indeed, the U19 European Championship winner set up the lone goal in last season's play-off final to see Fulham promoted.
And after the Whites announced Jokanovic had been replaced by Claudio Ranieri, the 18-year-old forward took to Twitter to say thanks.
"Thank you for everything gaffer," he wrote in a post.
"You believed in me and gave me an opportunity. You changed the club around and made our fans smile again and for that you'll always be remembered.
"All the best for the future."
Jokanovic took the Craven Cottage helm after a destabilising period for the west London club, which saw Felix Magath and Kit Symons ultimately try and fail to see them bounce back from relegation.
After a search which lasted more than a month for Symons' replacement, Jokanovic was appointed as head coach.
As well as Sessegnon's emergence as a future England star, the former Chelsea man also saw Aleksandar Mitrovic rediscover his best form for club and country.
But the Whites, without a win since August, decided to part with his services after a 2-0 defeat at Anfield which succeeded defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield.
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/fulham-star-ryan-sessegnon-issues-heartfelt-message-sacked-boss-jokanovic-133544852.html
A tale of two seasons – where it went wrong for Jokanovic and Fulham
Fulham have now turned to Claudio Ranieri
Fulham's dismal start to the season has cost Slavisa Jokanovic his job, with Claudio Ranieri taking over as manager.
It comes after Jokanovic led the Cottagers to promotion from the Championship and here, Press Association contrasts their record last term with this.
– Fulham have already lost more league games this season than last. They have nine defeats in 12 games since returning to the top flight, compared to eight in 46 in the Championship (though they also lost their play-off semi-final first leg 1-0 to Derby).
– They have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, conceding more than two and a half goals per game on average (31 in 12 games). Last season they conceded an average of one goal per game, the joint-sixth best record in the Championship, with 15 clean sheets and two more in the play-offs.
– Even at the other end of the field, Fulham have struggled with just 11 goals scored – less than one per game, down from an average of 1.72 last season (79 in 46 games).
– Last season's promotion push was built on a 23-match unbeaten run – 18 wins and five draws – between December 23 and their penultimate game on April 27 against Sunderland. A closing defeat at Birmingham dropped them into the play-offs.
– This season, they have only once put together back-to-back games without defeat – beating Burnley and then drawing with Brighton in their third and fourth games. Jokanovic's sacking comes on the back of six straight defeats.
– Jokanovic has twice left clubs after gaining promotion to the Premier League. He took Watford up in 2015 but was replaced after failing to agree a new contract.
http://sport.bt.com/news/a-tale-of-two-seasons-where-it-went-wrong-for-jokanovic-and-fulham-S11364310307374
John Collins is not happy as Fulham replace Jokanovic with Ranieri
Premier League bottom club Fulham have taken the shock decision to sack Slavisa Jokanovic and bring Claudio Ranieri to Craven Cottage.
You can see the logic behind Fulham owner Shahid Khan's decision to sack Slavisa Jokanovic and hire Claudio Ranieri.
Throughout his storied managerial career, Ranieri has adopted a traditionally old-school, Italian style with his success at various clubs - including Chelsea, Roma and of course Leicester City - built on a solid back line.
And this bodes well for a Fulham side who have looked frankly absurd in defence in the opening 12 games of the current campaign. The Cottagers have been breached a remarkable 31 times already and they are bottom of the Premier League after seven defeats in a row.
Speaking to talkSPORT (14 November, 10.30am), former Fulham midfielder John Collins clearly thinks that Ranieri has a challenge on his hands, and believes Jokanovic has paid the price for the club's questionable recruitment.
"I'm bitterly disappointed. They were like the Man City of the Championship and I said at the time when they brought in all the new players 'this isn't going to work'," Collins said.
"I have no doubt that the team that won the Championship is better than the team at this current time. Recruitment has been the problem, you've got to get that right and Fulham haven't.
"But boards panic, they've taken a gamble because I think (Jokanovic) is a good manager."
Fulham famously spent over £100 million in a hectic transfer window but the vast majority of their big-money additions, in particular Jean-Michel Seri, Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa and Maxime Le Marchand, have struggled to live up to their price-tags in their first Premier League season.
Collins adds that Ranieri could find it very difficult to replicate his success at Leicester with the current crop of Fulham players.
"His success at Leicester came from counter-attacking but that can't happen with Fulham because Aleksandar Mitrovic has got no pace," he added. "You can't play that style unless you've got pace."
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/11/14/do-john-collins-isnt-happy-as-fulham-replace-jokanovic-with-rani/
Claudio Ranieri's in-tray at Fulham after Slavisa Jokanovic sacking: Fix the worst Premier League defence, get Aleksandar Mitrovic firing and more
The Italian has time to assess the challenge he faces at Craven Cottage, but plenty of problems to solve on the pitch
Claudio Ranieri is back in the Premier League after Fulham owner Shahid Khan made the ruthless decision to announce his appointment on a "multi-year contract" at the same time as predecessor Slavisa Jokanovic's sacking.
November's international break offers Ranieri a chance to take stock of the situation at Craven Cottage ahead of a run of fixtures that includes a trip to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea, as well as an emotional reunion with many of his Premier League title-winning players when Leicester City visit west London.
The Independent takes a closer look at the most pressing challenges facing Ranieri as he walks into the third Premier League job of his career:
Get some points on the board - and quickly
Fulham lie rock-bottom of the Premier League, having taken just five points and claimed one victory from their first 12 matches.
It need not have been this way, but Jokanovic paid the price for failing to convert promising performances into cold, hard points; his team sacrificed a 2-0 lead to draw away at Brighton in September and led before falling 4-2 to Cardiff City last month.
The match that immediately follows the November international break, at home against fellow strugglers Southampton, already looks crucial. Win, and Ranieri can begin building some momentum and confidence for the even tougher tests that lie ahead.
Fix the Premier League's worst defence
Fulham have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their 12 matches and have conceded an eye-watering 31 goals – an average of 2.58 per game. Extend that out over a full Premier League season and it comes to 98 goals against. No team as leaky as that can hope to survive in the top flight.
Injuries played a part but Jokanovic did most to create the problem with his indecision. Fulham are yet to start the same defensive line in consecutive Premier League games, and have switched seemingly at random between a back three, a back four and a back five. Their defenders, while individually talented, have no collective chemistry, confidence or understanding.
Ranieri should not need a transfer window to solve this problem. He just needs to find a defence that works and stick to it.
Settle on a No.1 goalkeeper
Three different goalkeepers have started between the sticks in Fulham's 12 games. Fabri has not been seen in the Premier League since shipping five goals in two matches against Crystal Palace and Tottenham to start the season, while fellow summer signing Sergio Rico was drafted in for Jokanovic's final three games after Marcus Bettinelli had failed to stem the tide.
As with Ranieri's defensive options, the talent is there. Rico was linked with Chelsea last summer and Bettinelli has a high-profile champion in Gareth Southgate, who has called him up to the last two England senior squads. Putting his faith in one or the other should help Fulham's new manager to inject some certainty into his ailing back line.
Get Mitrovic firing again
For all of Fulham's defensive woes, it was the sudden disintegration of their formidable attack that really sealed Jokanovic's fate. After scoring 11 goals in their first nine Premier League games they failed to find the net in their last three and, worse still, they rarely threatened to.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is emblematic of their fortunes. His first six Premier League appearances yielded five goals, but he has not found the net for his club since September and has been left increasingly isolated as the remaining confidence drained from Fulham's play. Ranieri's success or failure at Craven Cottage will depend in part on whether or not he can get the Serb firing again.
Live up to your reputation
Khan described Ranieri as a "risk-free and ready-made" replacement for Jokanovic as well as an "extraordinary football man" as he announced the Italian's appointment on Wednesday.
High praise, certainly, but the reality is that no matter how much credit or good will Ranieri earned for guiding Leicester City to a miraculous Premier League title triumph in the 2015-16 season, no managerial appointment can ever be regarded as "risk-free".
It is worth remembering that Nigel Pearson, not Ranieri, was the man who staved off relegation at Leicester and by the time he was sacked nine months after winning the title, the club were staring into the abyss again. Fulham have a manager very capable of steering them clear of the current danger they find themselves in, but he also has something to prove.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/claudio-ranieri-fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-sacked-shahid-khan-aleksandar-mitrovic-premier-a8633546.html
The big questions hanging over Claudio Ranieri's appointment at Fulham
We've taken a look at the key questions that are hanging over Claudi Ranieri's tenure at Craven Cottage
Claudio Ranieri has been tasked with keeping Fulham in the Premier League this season, but the 67-year-old is facing some big questions ahead of his tenure at the club.
The club are rock bottom of the Premier League with just five points, with former boss Slavisa Jokanovic finding it difficult to build a stable team after a summer recruitment drive that saw the club sign 12 new players.
The Italian faces a big task to keep the club in the top flight and has a number of issues he'll have to sort out quickly to give Fulham the best chance possible of staying in the division.
We've taken a look at the big questions that are hanging over Ranieri's appointment ahead of that crucial game with Southampton after the international break.
He's not a relegation specialist
Fulham are very much in a relegation battle but unlike some of the other names linked with the job at the Cottage, Ranieri is by no means a specialist in getting clubs out of trouble.
He has a massive job on his hands at Fulham - at the moment it seems like there's no team, rather a bunch of individuals, and the first thing he's going to have to do is turn them into a solid unit.
While at Leicester he drew praise for how he organised his side and changed them from a side that was meant to battle relegation to one that won the league, his task at Fulham is even harder than the one he faced the last time he was in England.
He has 26 games and no pre-season to turn the fortunes of Fulham around and keep them in the Premier League - if he achieves it, it will be another achievement for Ranieri to add to his list.
Leaving it to the players at Leicester
When he took over at Leicester he let the players get on with it at first, recognising their relationship with Craig Shakespeare and not wanting to infringe on that.
At Fulham, however, he can't afford to do that and will have to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in immediately.
The players lack leadership at the moment and Ranieri will have to take on that position in order to get the players organised and instill some tactical discipline into them.
He will have to be a head coach - he's got very little time to get the players on board with what he wants them to do but he must act quickly with the games coming thick and fast.
This is a hands-on job and Ranirie must take that approach immediately.
The recruitment model
Fulham's recruitment model and Jokanovic clashed over his three years at the club, everyone knows that, but one big question is how Ranieri will fit into that model.
Shahid Khan's statement stated that the recruitment and contract renewals would still be overseen by Tony Khan and his team, working closely with Ranieri.
It raises questions over how Ranieri will fit into that model - I assume that part of the discussions would have been based on him working within this model, so it will be interesting to see what part he plays on it when January comes along.
Ranieri has worked with sporting director models in the past, so with a fresh canvas to work from for both the recruitment team and the manager it's a chance for better communication from both parties.
The overall recruitment over the past three years has been hit and miss, so seeing what kind of say Ranieri has on players incoming will be very interesting indeed.
Getting the best from Mitrovic
Jokanovic was a big reason why Aleksandar Mitrovic came to Fulham, and now with the head coach gone it leaves a massive question over the striker.
The former head coach played to Mitrovic's strengths, using him as a focal point to the attractive build-up play we saw from the side and that allowed him to flourish, scoring 12 goals last season.
He started off this season the same but recent weeks has seen Fulham go more defensive, with Mitrovic's supply lines cut off.
How Ranieri utilises Mitrovic will be vitally important to how the club does under his reign.
At Leicester City, he implemented a counter attacking style of football that suited the players, but in the past his favoured style has been a 4-2-3-1 and that's something we saw work fairly well for Jokanovic at Liverpool last week.
Whatever he chooses to do, he has to play to Mitrovic's strengths to ensure the club score goals, while also ensuring there is balance at the back to make them tough to beat and to cut out the easy goals.
Making a team out of the players
Bringing in 12 new faces over the summer in such a short space of time was always going to cause problems when it came to gelling the side.
Jokanovic took the brunt of it failing, but now Ranieri is in the club have no fall guy for their summer spending - he must keep the club up with the £100m worth of players Jokanovic was given, and to do that he needs to mould them into a team.
We haven't seen that yet - Jokanovic was still cutting and changing his side as he looked for what he thought his best team was and was getting to the stage where he knew it, but Ranieri is going to have to start from scratch with a vital game against Southampton looming over him.
He's going to have to find a formation to suits the players at his disposal, get them drilled to be able to play that formation while ensuring the leaks in defence are plugged.
It is a tough job facing Ranieri and he will have to work quickly to turn this group of footballers into a team.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/big-questions-hanging-over-claudio-15415102
Fulham survival as tough for Claudio Ranieri as winning title with Leicester City, says Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov has joked that Claudio Ranieri faces as tough a task keeping Fulham in the Premier League as he did when guiding Leicester City to a shock title.
Fulham sacked Slavisa Jokanovic and announced Ranieri as his replacement on Wednesday morning, bringing the latter back to English football since his sacking by the Foxes.
Ranieri famously guided Leicester to the Premier League title, one year after the club narrowly avoided relegation under Nigel Pearson, with pre-season odds of 5,000/1.
Berbatov, a former Fulham striker who worked under Ranieri at Monaco, feels his ex-manager faces a similarly tall order to keep his new team in the division.
"As I said, it's going to be a challenge but it's not impossible to get them out of the relegation zone," he told Betfair.
"He'll come with a strategy to keep them up. It helps that he has a good reputation; everybody loved him at Monaco, at Leicester and I'm sure Fulham will be the same but they need to start winning games now.
"The market for Leicester winning the Premier League was 5000/1, and now the odds on Fulham staying up are probably as high as that!
"It's like the same situation in reverse; the odds are against them, it's a challenging situation, but there's a lot of games left to change it.
"He's done it with Leicester to win the title and now he can save Fulham from relegation which is probably a more difficult task to achieve.
"Fulham deserve to be in the Premier League, they're a great club with great traditions and I think Ranieri can do it, all they need is one win."
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-survival-as-tough-for-claudio-ranieri-as-winning-title-with-leicester-city-says-dimitar-a3990191.html
Slavisa Jokanovic sacking and Claudio Ranieri gamble will decide Shahid Khan's legacy
SLAVISA JOKANOVIC was battling the odds from the moment Fulham's return to the Premier League was confirmed on May 26.
The Championship Play-Off winners are dealt a more difficult hand than the two other promoted sides by virtue of having three fewer weeks to prepare for life back in England's top flight.
A sharp plan is needed to ensure that lost time is made up for, yet rolling the dice at the death has cost Fulham dear.
The final days of May ticked by without a signing in sight. June came and went with no new arrivals.
Jokanovic then returned to pre-season training without enough players to fill his match-day squad due to the canny use of the loan market bolstering the promotion-winning roster.
It was not until July 12 - less than a month before the first game of the Premier League season - that the first signing was announced.
The arrivals suddenly came thick and fast before the deadline day flurry took the summer spend past £100m and the total number of signings to 12.
At the time it was easy to get caught up in the hysteria but, in hindsight, the chaotic spree has done more harm than good.
Wolves and Cardiff will point to their positive starts to Premier League life as a reward for largely keeping faith with the group that took them up.
But Jokanovic cannot be held responsible for the bull-in-a-china-shop approach to the transfer window because he did not oversee the club's activity - that is controlled by director of football operations, Tony Khan, and his assistant directors, James Lovell and Brian Talbot.
One of the few signings Jokanovic had a major say in since his arrival was Aleksandar Mitrovic, arguably the most successful deal in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, the much-lauded Jean Michael Seri impressed in the first four games but has since gone AWOL in midfield.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - the club-record signing - looks more lost on the pitch than a Russian tourist in Salisbury.
Manchester United loanee Timothy Fosu-Mensah have shown nothing to suggest he will ever get close to making the grade at Old Trafford.
While Andre Schurrle's shoot-on-sight policy did not mesh well with Jokanovic's attacking tactics.
One of the contributing factors for last season's promotion to the Premier League was the team spirit and bond forged between the players, which the sheer number of new arrivals could have disrupted.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/742479/Fulham-Slavisa-Jokanovic-Claudio-Ranieri-Gamble-Shahid-Khan-Legacy-News-Rumours-Gossip?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-football+%28Daily+Star+%3A%3A+Football+Feed%29
A cuddly Italian dilly-dinging and dilly-donging outside Craven Cottage
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!
JOK'S OVER
You have to admire the chutzpah of Shahid Khan. Lest we forget, it is less than a month since Fulham's owner responded to reports that Slavisa Jokanovic was about to be led towards the door marked Do One by using the club's programme to criticise "sensational and fictional headlines", telling supporters not to "believe everything you read" and declaring that he was "equal parts amused, astonished and disappointed". The biased MSM, it seemed, had been put in its place. Hooray! You tell 'em, Shahid! There was no way that Fulham were going to sack the man who had led them back into the Premier League! Who was going to believe that rubbish? Eh? Eh? Anyone? Well? Oh. Oh, Shahid! How could you?
It did, of course, always seem that Khan was laying it on a bit thick, so it might not have come as a huge surprise to Jokanovic when he heard a cuddly Italian gentleman dilly-dinging and dilly-donging outside his office at Craven Cottage earlier on Wednesday. The Serb must have known that the writing was on the wall for a while and the kill was swift and merciless when it came, with Jokanovic out and Claudio Ranieri immediately given the task of saving Fulham from relegation. "Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League," Khan grinned. "His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary."
As legendary, perhaps, as a vote of confidence from Khan. But while it turns out you really can't believe everything you read, especially if it appears in Fulham's programme, the harsh truth is that Jokanovic can't have too many complaints about losing his job. Fulham have picked up five points from their first 12 games, conceding 31 goals in the process, and appear to have spent the past few months watching clips of the great Derby County side of 2007-08. Their defending has been abysmal and they haven't won a league game since August, leaving them at the foot of the table after spending £100m on 973 new players in the summer. The rot had well and truly set in.
Whether Ranieri, who has had it written into his contract that he must be referred to as "one of the game's great characters" at every opportunity, can rescue them remains to be seen. Naturally Fulham will be hoping that he can bring the magic touch that saw him turn Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater into league champions in 2016 and haul them off the foot of the table. The west Londoners have acted decisively and are only three points off 17th-placed Southampton, who visit the Cottage on 24 November. Ranieri, who left Nantes at the end of last season, has a history of improving teams and will have a point to prove after how it ended at Leicester. You never know, maybe Fulham are on to something; after all, it's not like they've placed their faith in Felix Magath and a block of cheese – and if it doesn't work out, at least we can look forward to José Mourinho wearing his special CR tracksuit again.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/14/a-cuddly-italian-dilly-dinging-and-dilly-donging-outside-craven-cottage
Mascot Contest(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/foundation/news_-_mascot_contest.jpg?w=622&h=278)
Donated by FFC: Win a matchday mascot place for your child at Fulham vs. Southampton on Saturday 24th November.One lucky child will enjoy the rare opportunity to lead the Whites onto the pitch at Craven Cottage.
How to take part:
Step 1
Contribute £10 to Fulham FC Foundation via JustGiving by following this link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ffc-mascot-contest
Contestants must be 18 years of age or older. Mascots must be between the ages of 5-12.
Step 2
Answer the following question by typing your answer in the 'message box':
Who was Fulham's Man of the Match vs. Liverpool on Sunday 11th November?
Step 3
Tick 'No, do not add Gift Aid'. Entry is invalid if Gift Aid is selected.
Step 4
Tick the box that says 'I'm happy to be contacted by Fulham FC Foundation'.
This is the last stage of the donation process before 'Donate now'. Without this, we won't be able to contact you if you win the contest.
Contest closes Tuesday 20th November at 11.59pm. One lucky contest winner will be contacted on Wednesday 21st November, 2018.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/14/mascot-contest
Claudio Ranieri fastens in for Premier League homecoming at Fulham
The new manager cannot expect to repeat the success of his Leicester days but will hope his experience helps elicit a quick reaction from the struggling west London side
Hi Claudio. Welcome back to a place you loved, and where you were loved. The Ranieri of the Premier League, regarded in different moments as a gentleman, a tinkerman, a caricature joker, a miracle worker, an expert at somehow maintaining composure when form has faltered and the axe has lurked, returns with the words "risk free" ringing around him. Ranieri has seen enough in 32 years of management across five countries to smile wryly at such notions before he gets to work.
Preconceptions have followed Ranieri around for long enough – way longer than the infamous reaction to his supposedly left-field appointment at Leicester City (and we all know how that turned out). A certain amount of optimism from the Fulham hierarchy, who chose Ranieri to follow Slavisa Jokanovic, is understandable. But there is no sense jumping to the question of whether Ranieri can recreate something resembling the phenomenon he oversaw at Leicester in his new role at Craven Cottage.
Almost 18 months ago Ranieri joined Nantes in France among considerable fanfare. The president, the Poland-born tycoon Waldemar Kita, championed the idea that he masterminded a coup by recruiting a head coach associated with magic dust. Nantes had impressed under their previous coach, Sérgio Conceição, and when he left to join Porto Kita craved a big name. Ranieri more than ticked that box, so soon after Leicester's Premier League heroics made them a touchstone for any modest club with giant dreams.
Everyone in Nantes was excited. Everything started awash with promise. Ranieri was instantly popular with the public and inspired the team to climb as high as third in the table. They were settled in the top five for a while after the winter break. But by February the honeymoon picture began to crack. Neither party seemed in it for the long haul. Ranieri was linked with the Italian national team. Results started to slip. Over the course of the season Nantes scored only 36 goals from 38 Ligue 1 games and the initial spark of excitement fizzled out as bland football took hold.
Freedom to work under an involved president became an issue. Kita is an extrovert face in French football, the type of owner who is full of grand statements, likes to befriend the players, doesn't hide the fact he has favourites and relishes the kind of interest in team affairs that can border on interference. Ranieri never complained in public but it was obvious these were not his ideal conditions to coach. Three wins in the second half of the season meant that Ranieri's departure after one season at Nantes was not unexpected. He remained elegant and liked but left without sensational memories. "The first part of the season was fantastic," he said. "Then we were inevitably disappointed: me, president, players, supporters."
Expectations that he could do a Leicester with Nantes were always on the fanciful side. Partly because the law of averages that has a team succeed at odds of 5,000-1 suggests it is not likely to happen again in a hurry. And partly because Ligue 1 is not easy for those outside the establishment to crash through. Outside the usual suspects (the superpower Paris Saint-Germain, with Monaco and Lyon normally leading the sub-elite) the top three has seldom been gatecrashed in the past five years. Nice pushed their way to third in 2017 and Lille did the same in 2014.
And so to Fulham. Even during that unforgettable adventure with Leicester, when his team were top a third of the way into that extraordinary season, he was fixated with reaching 40 points before he would even consider thinking about anything else. "Our goal right now is to maintain the Premier League. Be solid with two feet firmly on the floor," he said then.
Those sentiments echo along the banks of Thames as he begins his 18th job in management with his team in a parlous state. Rock bottom, haemorrhaging goals, having almost forgotten how to win, this is a job that requires that Ranieri characteristic of shaking things up quickly. He is a specialist at bringing a new manager bounce – that spurt of improvement – by sharply analysing his resources and making adjustments while trying to motivate. "I like a project," he says. Just as well.
Fulham represents a homecoming of sorts. Not only does it bring him professionally back to the Premier League, personally it also takes him back to a part of the world he enjoyed. He was very happy living in west London during his spell with Chelsea in the period that just preceded the arrival of Roman Abramovich.
The variety of experience he has packed into his managerial career, having to cope with the twin imposters of triumph and disaster along the way, means he is under no illusions. "We have to play like we are desperate – not every match, every second," Ranieri once said of his philosophy. "The day my players relax I get crazy. They know that. I think I am a nice man but also I am demanding." Fulham's chances of recovery this season depend on the extent to which his players will be able to respond to that.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/14/claudio-ranieri-premier-league-fulham
Cottage Talk Podcast: Breaking News - Claudio Ranieri Becomes New Fulham Manager
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.
This is a special episode as Fulham Football Club sacked Slavisa Jokanovic, and replaced him with Claudio Ranieri. Co-hosts Max Cohen and Yannis Tjanetis share their views on both Jokanovic, and Ranieri during this show. We also talked about the polls that are on the Cottage Talk Facebook and Twitter pages.
You can also listen to the show here...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/11/14/18095138/cottage-talk-podcast-breaking-news-claudio-ranieri-becomes-new-fulham-manager
Can Leicester's miracle man defy the odds again at Fulham?
After he masterminded Leicester's shock title triumph, Fulham will hope Claudio Ranieri can once again beat the odds and keep them in the Premier League.
The Italian was appointed head coach at the King Power Stadium in July 2015, and swiftly was nominated as the favourite to be sacked that season.
But in less than a year he won the critics round and turned the Premier League on its head – something Ranieri will have to repeat given the Cottagers' current perilous position at the foot of the table.
Whatever transpires over his "multi-year contract", Ranieri will approach it all with a smile.
During his time at Leicester, the Italian shook hands with everyone at press conferences, took criticism with good grace and was enjoyable company.
He knows the game, knows how to work the media – although his dismissal from Leicester became inevitable as the Foxes slipped further into relegation trouble, and he was sacked just 297 days after winning the Premier League with the 5,000-1 shots.
That title win was the pinnacle of a managerial career which had always threatened to fall at the final hurdle.
Ranieri's playing career never amounted to much. He failed to make the grade as a defender at hometown club Roma before spending six years at Catanzaro and a couple of seasons with Sicilian clubs Catania and Palermo.
As a manager Ranieri made his name with Cagliari, taking over in 1988 and winning back-to-back promotions to reach Serie A, with that achievement seeing him named Napoli boss in 1991.
Although he was without Diego Maradona – serving a drugs ban – he introduced Gianfranco Zola, who he later managed at Chelsea.
There were no trophies at the Stadio San Paolo, but he headed to Fiorentina and, powered by the goals of Gabriel Batistuta, won promotion back to the Italian top flight at the first attempt.
His first two major trophies arrived in Florence, the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia in 1996, and a year later, he moved to Spain with Valencia.
Ranieri won the Copa del Rey in 1999, and then got the Atletico Madrid job soon after.
The Italian resigned in 2000 before Atletico were relegated having gone into administration, but Chelsea still appointed him in September of that year.
He spoke little English and earned his 'Tinkerman' nickname given his rotation policy – something he has rightly pointed out since is now the norm in English football. It was not until his third season that the Blues qualified for the Champions League.
Ranieri had already signed Frank Lampard in 2001 and lost the 2002 FA Cup final to Arsenal, but laid the foundations for the Blues' title-winning success under Jose Mourinho when Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
Arsenal's Invincibles beat them to the 2004 Premier League title as Chelsea finished second with Ranieri's future an open secret – he was going to be replaced by Mourinho. But he earned praise for his grace and poise prior to the confirmation of the Portuguese in the dugout.
Ranieri then returned to Valencia where he won the Super Cup, but he lasted less than a year at the Mestalla before moving to Parma in 2007, saving them from relegation.
That convinced Juventus to move for him after they had returned to Serie A, but he still failed to win a top-flight title as Mourinho's Inter Milan dominated.
Roma and Inter were next on the list, but there was no silverware until he clinched a Ligue 2 title with Monaco in 2013 – they then finished as runners-up to Paris St Germain in the top flight.
An ill-fated four months with Greece followed when Monaco opted not to renew his contract, before he was Nigel Pearson's shock replacement at Leicester in 2015.
Favourite to be sacked with one of the favourites to be relegated, he won a stunning title by 10 points. The Foxes lost just three league games all season.
Ever-quotable, he cried after April's win at Sunderland put them on the brink of the impossible, a sausage was named after him by a Leicester butcher and when the title was confirmed he was with his mother Renata in Italy.
The following season, though, it all fell apart.
Poor recruitment, baffling tactical decisions and an unsettled dressing room made his departure almost inevitable, with Leicester a point above the relegation zone, and there was no room for sentiment when the axe fell.
Ranieri, though, had won a place in the hearts of all Leicester fans – something which was made clear by the vocal reception when he returned to pay his respects following the death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
After an unremarkable spell at Nantes, Ranieri will be hoping to prove he still has what it takes – a sentiment shared by all Fulham fans.
https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/can-leicesters-miracle-man-defy-the-odds-again-at-fulham
The Newcastle problems Aleksandar Mitrovic must put behind him to succeed under Claudio Ranieri
Mitrovic struggled under Rafa Benitez' counter-attacking football but he must put that behind him to succeed under his new boss
How Claudio Ranieri will get the best out of Aleksandar Mitrovic is a question that a lot are asking after his appointment at Fulham manager.
Mitrovic arrived at Craven Cottage in January and bagged 12 goals in 16 games to help the side achieve promotion and was resigned by Tony Khan in the summer on a permanent basis, picking up where he left off netting five goals.
But they've dried up in recent weeks, as has the service Mitrovic has received from his midfielders, which has seen Mitrovic not score since the Watford draw back in September.
One key question is how Ranieri will get the best out of his striker - playing him in a side that plays counter-attacking football like his Leicester City side won't work because Mitrovic doesn't have the speed or mobility to play that way.
That means he'll have to look at different options that will see his defence stay solid but at the same time get the best out of Mitrovic.
We saw Jokanovic was able to do that where Mitrovic's previous manager, Rafa Benitez, was not.
Benitez player a similar system to what Ranieri likes to play, but Mitrovic wasn't able to adapt his style to what the Spaniard wanted from.
Looking back at that, we spoke to Chris Waugh from the Newcastle Chronicle on Mitrovic's relationship with Benitez, and why it didn't work at Newcastle when it did so well under Jokanovic at Fulham.
"Aleksandar Mitrovic and Rafa Benitez's relationship at Newcastle United was a bizarre one.
"On a personal level, the pair got along well and have only positive things to say about one another. But, professionally, they were simply incompatible.
"What Benitez demands from his players, and especially the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, is workrate and a strict adherence to the overall gameplan.
"While Benitez identified that Mitrovic could score goals if a team was built around the striker, he was unwilling to change his over-arching philosophy in order to accommodate the Serbian.
"Instead, time and time again Benitez and his coaching staff relayed to Mitrovic exactly what it was they wanted to see from the forward if he was going to get regular gametime - yet, repeatedly, the United manager concluded that the striker had failed to follow instructions.
"Trust was always an issue; Benitez never quite felt that he could rely on Mitrovic, either from a disciplinary point of view, or in terms of carrying out specific instructions which were critical to a gameplan.
"Newcastle, due to their lack of quality going forward, are best suited to counter-attacking. Mitrovic's lack of pace was part of the issue, because he is unable to start attacks quickly, but so too was his apparent inability to get himself into the positions Benitez wanted so that he could bring his team-mates into play.
"On the training ground, Benitez cites data his coaching staff collected as proving that Mitrovic simply did not work hard enough - something which he argues was reflected in the striker's performances out on the pitch, too. For a counter-attacking team who cede possession for the majority of the game before blitzing forward at pace, you simply cannot afford to have a striker who will not do his defensive work, too.
"The challenge for Ranieri will be finding the balance with Mitrovic; undoubtedly the Serbian is a goal-scorer when chances are created for him, but can he be as effective in a side who aren't necessarily built to suit him?
"Benitez could never do it, or at the very least did not have the desire to. So it is up to Mitrovic to prove his former manager wrong and excel in a counter-attacking system under Ranieri, if indeed that's hope the Italian adapts Fulham to play."
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/newcastle-problems-aleksandar-mitrovic-must-15416529
jo go Claudio Ranieri 'wants Liverpool defender Joel Matip' to be his first signing as Fulham boss
The Whites are rock-bottom of the Premier League and desperately need to tighten up at the back
Liverpool defender Joel Matip has emerged as a January transfer target for Claudio Ranieri and new club Fulham.
The Germany-born Cameroon international has fallen well down the pecking order at Anfield and has started just one Premier League game so far this season.
Matip is still under contract for another two years but is has been suggested that he may seek a departure as he goes in search of regular first-team action.
And now, according to reports in Turkey, Liverpool's former director of football Damien Comolli is interested in luring Matip to his new club Fenerbahce.
Turkish publication A Spor has revealed that the Super Lig side have already got the ball rolling on a potential January switch but their transfer plans could be scuppered by Fulham.
It has been suggested that the west London club, who sacked Slavisa Jokanovic and replaced him with Ranieri on Wednesday, also want Matip once the transfer window opens.
Fulham sit bottom of the table after claiming just five points from their opening 12 fixtures of the campaign and hope the appointment of 'the Tinkerman' can turn around their fortunes as he looks to make the side more defence-minded.
https://talksport.com/football/446044/claudio-ranieri-liverpool-joel-matip-fulham/
'Always, I look forward and want more': Claudio Ranieri plans to push Fulham up the table following his appointment
Claudio Ranieri says his hunger is still there after taking on difficult Fulham job
Ranieri reveals defensive solidity will be a big part of his plans at Craven Cottage
Fulham have by far the worst defence in the Premier League, conceding 31 goals
Claudio Ranieri has revealed improving Fulham's defence will be his first order of business after taking over from the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday.
The former Leicester City boss arrives at Craven Cottage with Fulham rock-bottom of the Premier League table and by far the worst defensive record in the division.
Fulham have conceded an impressively bad 31 goals in just 12 games - six more than any other team - at an average of just over 2.5 goals per match. It is an area Ranieri believes requires immediate attention.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/14/17/6184428-6389975-image-a-28_1542218002202.jpg)
Ranieri said the defence would be his first port of call as he looks to turn fortunes around
He told Fulhamfctv: 'You know as an Italian manager, for us that the defensive way is the best element for the team. It is important to have a strong vision of the defensive way.
'But it is not only the full back or the goalkeeper, it is all the team. When you attack, you attack in an 11; when you defend, you have to defend in an 11.
'Always I look forward and want more. I hope to make a very good job here.'
Ranieri, who won the title with Leicester in 2016 before being sacked the very next season, was confirmed as successor to Jokanovic on Wednesday.
Jokanovic was informed he would be sacked in a phone call with Fulham owner Shahid Khan at 8am on Wednesday morning.
The call came after Fulham had sounded out a number of potential candidates before agreeing terms with the charismatic Italian, the man who had signed Jokanovic as a player while Chelsea boss.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was, reportedly, among those contacted about the position.
Jokanovic lead Fulham back to the Premier League via the play-offs last season, but has been unable to put £100million worth of summer signings to good use this term.
The Cottagers have just five points to show from their first 12 league games and have not tasted victory since beating Burnley 4-2 in August.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6389975/Claudio-Ranieri-plans-push-Fulham-table-following-appointment.html
Fulham's gamble to replace Slavisa Jokanovic with Claudio Ranieri is anything but 'risk free'
Fulham owner Shahid Khan praised Claudio Ranieri as a 'risk-free' appointment, but he is the opposite of what outgoing manager Slavisa Jokanovic was committed to
Slavisa Jokanovic prides himself on being a footballing fundamentalist. He is a coach who doesn't just prefer to play passing, attacking football but insists on it.
Ultimately it was to be one of his undoings as newly-promoted Fulham failed to adapt to the harsh realities of being back in the Premier League. They couldn't score enough goals to cover up an expensively-assembled but porous defence.
Having swaggered to promotion they were staggering to relegation with Jokanovic in charge, and though he is not the only man to blame, he is the only one to pay the price for now.
Club owner Shahid Khan and his son, Tony, whose role is so muddled that he describes himself as the "Owner/Director of Football/GM/Sporting Director" on his Twitter profile, took great umbrage with reports a few weeks ago that Jokanovic would be fired if Fulham lost to Bournemouth and Huddersfield, calling them 'fiction'.
They were true though, and Fulham did lose those two games and Jokanovic was fired. After that limp defeat to David Wagner's men where the Cottagers looked utterly lost, the final decision was taken that had been spoken about weeks before. The club met with Claudio Ranieri between the defeat to Huddersfield and the defeat at Liverpool, and while it might be no surprise that they decided the Italian was the man for the job, there are ulterior motives at play here.
Recruitment has been a testy issue for Fulham over the past couple of seasons, prompting major fallouts internally and nearly leading to Jokanovic's exit many months before his dismissal on Wednesday morning.
The Cottagers received praise for their work in the summer after spending nearly £150m but those arrivals have not played well and, worse than that, they've disturbed a team that was.
Tim Ream spoke recently about the lack of camaraderie in the squad, something that was not an issue last year and refocuses the issues of trying to inject too many players into a new squad. The old one was functioning, if short of quality. The current one is listless and the quality they have bought has done nothing to drag Fulham away from trouble. The money has been spent but there has been no benefit received.
Ranieri's job is to save Fulham, obviously, but his arrival is well-timed because if the lovable Italian brings the immediate impact he so often does in new jobs, then it will prevent more questions being asked about the Cottagers' summer spree ahead of the January window. Should they head into the New Year still looking doomed, there will be a pressure to go on another unwieldy splurge.
While Khan praised Ranieri as a "risk-free" appointment, he is anything but. There remains the huge risk of relegation and the financial hit that comes with it because, despite Ranieri's achievements with Leicester, the playing style with which the Foxes won the league – forgoing possession, pressing high, playing on the counter – is virtually the opposite of what Jokanovic was so fundamentally committed to.
Fulham have some good players who will be able to adapt and others who might have been more suited to Ranieri's plans anyway, but while the slick immediacy of this managerial change removes that horrible feeling of limbo when relegation-threatened teams look for a manager, the adaptation might take a little time.
By sacking Jokanovic now, Fulham are gambling that they have enough of it to turn the ship around – but don't let anyone tell you this is a "risk-free" move. Not with this much at stake.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-fc-news-manager-claudio-ranieri-slavisa-jokanovic-sacked-a8634031.html
Fulham sacked Slavisa Jokanovic around 36 hours after telling fans he was safe
Monday night: Fulham's chief executive backs Jokanovic to supporters. Wednesday morning: Manager is fired
Fulham chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told a fans' meeting on Monday night they were committed to Slavisa Jokanovic and believed he would guide them through the crisis.
That matched the behind-the-scenes reassurances for Jokanovic, who was just given an hour's warning before the club announced on Wednesday morning that they were replacing him with Claudio Ranieri.
The Premier League's bottom club had also told Jokanovic they would be sticking with him no matter the result at Huddersfield last Monday. And stayed true to their word — for one more game.
Even an improved performance at Liverpool on Sunday, albeit in another defeat, was not enough to save him.
Fulham had also been pushing to extend Jokanovic's contract even this season, to reward him for guiding them into the Premier League.
However, their transfer business last summer, when they spent in excess of £100m on new signings, happened without Jokanovic having final say on almost all of the new signings.
He wanted a ball-playing centre half and a holding midfielder.
Few of their many signings have worked and Fulham have managed just one win in the Premier League so far this season.
The chopping and changing of the starting line-up highlights that Jokanovic was still searching for the right formula even though he has stressed publicly this season that he had no problem with the transfer policy.
Jokanovic had a face-to-face meeting with owner Shahid Khan last week and the relationship remains friendly and cordial. But clearly the club had looked at the international break as an opportunity to make a change and had sounded out several managerial candidates.
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger was sounded out. Former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores and ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea boss Carlos Carvahal has also been linked.
But they have ended up going for Ranieri, and are now looking for him to achieve another miracle.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-sacked-slavisa-jokanovic-around-13590862
Claudio Ranieri: Fulham will never give up, says new manager
Fulham will "never give up" in their fight against relegation from the Premier League this season, says new manager Claudio Ranieri.
The Cottagers sacked Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday and immediately appointed Italian Ranieri, who guided Leicester to the title in 2016.
Fulham are bottom of the table having taken just five points from 12 games.
"I hope this season to be safe and then to follow the way of the chairman, to grow upwards," said Ranieri.
Jokanovic, who was appointed in December 2015, led Fulham to promotion via the play-offs last season.
But the Londoners have lost their past six league games and have conceded a league-high 31 goals so far this season.
Ranieri's first game in charge will see Fulham host fellow strugglers Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 24 November, followed by games against his former clubs Chelsea and Leicester.
The 67-year-old Italian told Fulham's website: "I think Jokanovic was a great player but also as a manager he made a very good start to this career. This season I cannot believe what happened. It is a very good quality team.
"As an Italian manager, for us the defensive way is the best for the team. It is important to have a strong vision of the defence. Not just the full-backs or goalkeeper, all the team.
"For me, the team spirit is important but I know there is a good group. The fighting spirit is very important. We play Southampton and they are a good team with spirit. It is important to be prepared.
"I hope our fans push us and we need their strength. We need their support always. We will never give up."
'What I achieved is the past'
Ranieri's Leicester started the 2015-16 season as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the Premier League and were among the favourites for relegation.
The Foxes delivered one the greatest sporting shocks of all time as they clinched the club's first top-flight title, described by many as a "miracle".
But Ranieri was sacked nine months later and spent last season as Nantes manager.
In his first spell in England, he guided Chelsea to second in the Premier League as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said he and his son Tony, the club's vice-chairman and director of football operations, spoke to a number of potential candidates over the past week.
"What I achieved is the past, I always look forward and I want more," said Ranieri. "I hope to make very good job here.
"I felt like coming back to England. Last season I went away abroad to finish my story but my feeling with English football is so high and I wanted to come back. Mr Khan is an ambitious man and I hope to give him what he desires."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46215037
Despite his sacking, Slavisa Jokanovic will always be a Fulham legend
On Wednesday morning, shocking news pierced the football community: Slavisa Jokanovic had been fired by Fulham and replaced by Claudio Ranieri.
Although the Whites were dead last in the Premier League and boasted the worst goal differential, many expected Jokanovic to remain in the job, as Fulham did not act after the 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield a week earlier.
Despite his sacking, Slavisa Jokanovic will always be known as a Fulham legend.
The Serbian manager was appointed to the position in December 2015, perhaps Fulham's lowest point in recent memory. The club were languishing in the lower reaches of the Championship, flirting with relegation to League One. Kit Symons had been sacked in early November, with the club undergoing a period of almost two months without a full-time boss.
The situation Jokanovic inherited was directionless.
But the manager worked absolute wonders at SW6, saving the club from relegation in his first half-season, building a free-flowing team that finished sixth the following year, and finally granting Fulham fans their sweetest-ever moment with a Wembley victory in the play-off final in May.
Along the way, Jokanovic gave Ryan Sessegnon a debut as a 16-year-old and oversaw his progression to one of the brightest talents in world football. He handed Tom Cairney the captain's armband and brought the best out of the midfielder. And perhaps most important of all, he instilled a strong, possession-based, attacking ethos in SW6 that captivated the footballing world.
All of these tremendous accomplishments will never be forgotten by Fulham fans. Three poor months in the Premier League can never erase those two glorious Championship seasons.
The sad reality is that Slavisa Jokanovic is not a Premier League manager. But he is a Fulham legend.
https://tbrfootball.com/despite-his-sacking-slavisa-jokanovic-will-always-be-a-fulham-legend/
Fulham have pulled off a masterstroke by sacking Slavisa Jokanovic and appointing this Premier League veteran their new manager
Fulham have done well by appointing Claudio Ranieri their new manager
This might come as a shock to numerous people but Fulham have officially sacked Slavisa Jokanovic as their manager (h/t The Telegraph). In a swift move, the Cottagers then appointed Claudio Ranieri as their new boss.
Ranieri, well-known for creating Premier League history by winning the title with Leicester City in the 2015/16 season, is a seasoned manager. He is more than capable of stabilizing the fortunes of distressed clubs and this certainly is a power move from club owner Shahid Khan.
Despite securing promotion to the top-flight in an emphatic manner under Jokanovic the last term, Fulham have struggled miserably this season. They spent big in the summer and brought in some impress players by landing deals for Andre Schurrle, Jean Michael Seri and Aleksandar Mitrovic (loan move made permanent). Furthermore, they also have some brilliant players in Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.
However, the team just failed to gel well together and seemed to be in real danger of getting relegated back to the Championship. But Khan certainly pulled off a much-needed move at the right time by sacking Jovanovic.
Now, Ranieri has quite a task at hand. He must unite and extract the best out of a team filled with some big-name stars while also ensuring they avoid the drop at the end of the season.
Currently gracing the bottom of the table, Fulham have managed to win merely 1 out of the first 12 games. Having scored just 11 goals so far, it is astounding to note that the Londoners have conceded a whopping 31. The situation certainly does not look good for the club and if Ranieri can help them stay afloat in the Premier League, that itself would be quite an achievement.
But knowing Ranieri, he can do a lot better than that. He is adept at repairing leaky defences and setting a strong foundation at the back and that is exactly what Fulham need right now.
It won't be easy for Ranieri but if anyone can bring the Cottagers out of their misery, it has to be the brilliant Frenchman. It remains to be seen how he sets up his new team when they face Southampton on 24th November but suffice to say, Fulham have pulled off a masterstroke by making him their new manager.
https://www.mediareferee.com/2018/11/15/fulham-have-pulled-off-a-masterstroke-by-sacking-slavisa-jokanovic-and-appointing-this-premier-league-veteran-their-new-manager/
Claudio Ranieri Replaces Slavisa Jokanovic as Manager
The Tinkerman is here at Craven Cottage!
After a run that saw Fulham lose seven league and cup games in a row, not score in those last four games, not see a win since September 25th, and give up a historically bad 31 goals in 12 Premier League fixtures, owner Shahid Khan had no choice but to sack Slavisa Jokanovic today. However, that wasn't the only bit of news. Along with Jokanovic leaving, Claudio Ranieri has come in to become the permanent successor and has signed a "multi-year contract". Some will say that Khan went against his word after he backed Jokanovic on the matchday program in the former boss's last home fixture against Bournemouth. But as the club were amid a 3-0 defeat, the body language from the club's owner in the stands and the foreign and negative tactics Jokanovic was deploying that were so against the grain from what he did his previous two seasons were just not good enough anymore. Add in a shocking defeat to Huddersfield Town, followed by another one to Liverpool and it makes sense for the club to make a change now anymore damage can be done.
Lots of negatives will be surrounding Jokanovic from this fateful day, but it must not be forgotten how he drove Fulham back towards the Premier League with a brand of football the supporters will forever adore. It's quite clear, however, that the Premier League is as cut throat as it gets. Every club has some form of an attack and some form of defense. If you have neither of one or the other or both, relegation is expected. That's where Fulham sit now languishing in the bottom of the table. Southampton is next on the club's fixture list and anything short of a draw is considered unacceptable. After what this club has delivered over the past two years, supporters are begging for, at minimum, to have this team's identity back.
As mentioned before, Jokanovic has went from trying what worked with 100 million in new transfers earlier this season to implementing a counter-attacking system that just didn't suit most of the team. Listless performances against Bournemouth and Huddersfield sealed his fate with the Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City results as ominous signs for things to come.
In Claudio Ranieri, Kahn hopes that the magic he delivered as Leicester's manager in 2016 can translate at Craven Cottage. No one will ever top Ranieri and his side's performance going from 5,000-1 odds of winning the league to achieving the impossible. With his leadership, Jamie Vardy, Ngolo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel became household names with captain Wes Morgan being a cult hero at the King Power Stadium. And while he was known as the tinker man that was rigid in his 4-2-3-1 system, Ranieri stuck to the same XI in that fateful season and played a 4-4-2 counter-attacking style that fit the speed and guile of his attacking players. Having a hidden gem and future world class midfield destroyer in Kante, who would go on to become a World Cup winner with France, certainly didn't hurt things either.
But if anything, Ranieri might not be the most successful foreign manager available, but he is a player's manager that will bring his kind humor and charm to do his best to deliver a team-wide spirit that will be infectious throughout. Fulham had that under Jokanovic's first two seasons and it seemed like it was broken as soon as the new transfers came in. Even seasons after his sacking in 2017, you could tell Leicester's bonds are still there. That bonding was brought to full view with their togetherness since the tragic passing of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha that shook the English football world.
Ranieri may not be a guaranteed success at Fulham, and the club could still get relegated for reasons beyond him and even Jokanovic's control. But if anything, this is a major turning of the page for an era that brought so much joy. Now Fulham have to look into the future in hopes to retain their respectability that they worked so hard to rebuild.
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/11/14/18095767/claudio-ranieri-replaces-slavisa-jokanovic-as-manager
