Friday Fulham Stuff (03/06/11)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/06/mark_hughes_was_the_victim.html

Hughes must prove staying power

Mark Hughes was the victim of Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook's infamous "trajectory of results" when he was shown the door at Eastlands and replaced within a matter of minutes by Roberto Mancini.

Hughes nursed an acute sense of injustice, shared by many observers inside and outside City, and public humiliation when he took charge of the 4-3 win against Sunderland in December 2009 with the word already out that his time was up as soon as the final whistle sounded.

The 47-year-old is walking away from Fulham with that same trajectory on an upward curve after a season in which he heard demands for his dismissal at Craven Cottage before a strong conclusion rebuilt his reputation and earned a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play standings.

Hughes, in a statement met with heavy cynicism, insisted his decision to activate a break clause in his two-year contract had not been prompted by the intervention of "an outside party" after Gerard Houllier left Aston Villa on health grounds only 24 hours earlier.

It may well be, though, that the bitterness Hughes felt at the manner in which he was sacked at City hardened his belief that it is every man for himself in Premier League management and if a faster train is about to pull up at the platform, he will jump aboard.
The dust has not yet settled on Villa's decision to part company with Houllier, or indeed where Hughes' next destination might be, but it is clear the Welshman believes he is on the way to bigger and better things.

In his eventful time at Eastlands, during which the Abu Dhabi riches rolled up at the door, Cook also claimed Hughes had been hit by what he described as "bowling ball syndrome" - namely when you opened a cupboard one of these painful objects landed on your head.

This was not literally true of course. Cook meant that Hughes had occasionally been underminded by events that were unexpected and beyond his control. Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed must have felt like he had been hit by a 16-ton weight when it became clear his manager was leaving on Thursday.

Hughes may well be, in his own words, "a young ambitious manager" but he is now getting a reputation as a nomadic one. He is leaving Fulham after spells in charge of Wales, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and now a new home. Whether this is Villa Park remains to be seen, with sources in the Midlands insisting owner Randy Lerner wants to explore the possibility of landing sacked former Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti before committing himself to any move for Hughes.

It is tough on Fulham, who stood by Hughes amid the early turmoil and who lost Roy Hodgson to Liverpool this time last year. Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who worked with Hughes at City, runs a tight ship but there is no doubt Hughes' departure will come as a destabilising blow.

And it takes quite a leap of the imagination to believe Hughes has burned his boats so comprehensively at Craven Cottage without being certain another post would present itself in the very near future.

Hughes and his trusted team of right-hand man Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki have proved to be an effective and tight-knit unit. They have are adept at organising a team and uniting a dressing room - which may prove a key element if they do take over at Villa after the public disharmony of the Houllier era.

Villa is also a team in danger of seeing important elements breaking up, with England pair Ashley Young and Stewart Downing hinting strongly they may see their future elsewhere. This will be a top priority on the agenda of their new manager and a crucial early test.

It will need a powerful character, a criteria Hughes fulfils perfectly but credentials also high on Ancelotti's CV after a coaching career managing high-profile personalities on the pitch and in the boardroom.

Lerner will make his choice carefully after being caught out by O'Neill's departure just days before the start of last season and the turbulence of Houllier's tenure that was eventually ended after he suffered heart problems. Hughes has to serve a month's notice under the terms of his contract and Lerner is certain to use that time to explore every option before alighting on his final choice.

Hughes is also under pressure once he takes his next post. He needs to demonstrate he can put down roots and show he can establish a management model and stick with it for the long-term.

His fate at Manchester City was out of his hands but he willingly walked away from Blackburn and Fulham - wherever he goes he has to show his capability to fashion a vision that he will stick with over a number of years.

He must ensure the trajectory of results heads skywards and keep it there.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/hughes-departure-sparks-speculation?

Hughes departure sparks speculation

Mark Hughes resigned as Fulham manager on Thursday despite having agreed terms on a new contract with the club.

Hughes' decision to activate a break clause in the two-year deal he signed with Fulham last summer will fuel speculation of a move to managerless Aston Villa. According to a source close to the club, owner Mohamed Al Fayed believed Hughes was positioning himself for a move while negotiating and finalising the terms of a new deal with Fulham.

Al Fayed is said to have grown "increasingly annoyed" with Hughes and did not oppose his request to leave at the end of June, having served a month's notice.

But Hughes, in announcing his decision to leave Craven Cottage after one season at the helm, insisted he had not been in talks with any other club.

"I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences,'' said Hughes.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.

"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."

Hughes, 47, is the bookmakers' favourite to replace Gerard Houllier at Villa Park, although the Midlands club are believed to be interested in former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Press Association Sport understands that Hughes' departure from Fulham has "no connection" with the Villa vacancy. Any club that might want him will have to wait.

The Welshman's notice at Craven Cottage expires on June 30, the same day Fulham are scheduled to play the first Europa League qualifying round. Fulham have confirmed that, even if a new manager has not been appointed by the end of the month, Hughes will not take charge of that game.

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/sport/Eagles-step-bid-bring-KG-Selhurst/article-3622194-detail/article.html?

Eagles will step up bid to bring KG back to Selhurst

CRYSTAL Palace will renew their interest in Fulham's Kagisho Dikgacoi this summer.

The South African impressed while on loan at Selhurst Park at the back end of last season.

However, a permanent move for the 26-year-old appeared a non-starter with Dikgacoi stating his determination to win a first team spot at Craven Cottage.

But the Eagles remain very interested in persuading the powerful midfielder - known as KG - his future lies at Selhurst Park.


"KG at Fulham is one we are looking to get back here," confirmed Palace's assistant boss Lennie Lawrence. "We are keen and will look to do something when the teams come back in July.

"Things are complicated slightly by the fact that Fulham are now in the Europa League which may mean they want to keep hold of him."

Centre midfield is an area the Eagles are badly in need of strengthening with Lawrence admitting the chances of Neil Danns remaining a Palace player are now almost over.

"We would love Neil to stay and the offer remains on the table. But in reality it looks like he's going," he said. "I haven't heard he has definitely signed for anyone else yet, but it is looking that way.

"I think he's hoping to get a smaller Premier League club and I think that may well be the case."

Charlton's out of contract Portuguese star Jose Semedo remains another target.

Manager Dougie Freedman has previously distanced himself from a move for the 26-year-old, but the Advertiser understands Palace are interested in the tough-tackling midfielder.

Young Dundee winger Craig Forsyth is close to agreeing a deal to move south, but a swoop for fellow Scot, Craig Conway is looking less likely with several high profile clubs circling the Dundee United winger.

Forsyth is currently away on holiday but a compensation package in the region of £100,000 has been agreed between the two clubs and personal terms should be thrashed out when he returns from his summer break in two weeks' time.

"We are looking to improve all over the pitch," said Lawrence. "We want to improve the level of players we have next year.

"The budget is and will remain competitive.

"There is money available but we have to be responsible and we don't want to just throw it away.

"We will always do what's best for the club."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/06/03/zamora-can-star-for-england-says-former-fulham-boss-64767-28814087/?

Zamora can star for England, says former Fulham boss

EX FULHAM boss Chris Coleman believes Fabio Capello should have no qualms about deploying Bobby Zamora as a lone striker for England.

Zamora is in the national squad for Saturday's Euro qualifier against Switzerland and although he is likely to start on the bench, with Darren Bent getting the nod, Zamora may have a chance to pick up where he left off with England at the start of last season.

Injury cruelly robbed him of the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place soon after he made his debut against Hungary as a second half sub in August 2010.

Only a lack of fitness prevented him from being in the frame for the World Cup squad a month before then as well and he made a good impression in his first outing.

Coleman, who as an accomplished international defender in his time knows a thing or two about what makes a good striker, said: "He's a really good player Bobby and I'm glad he's got another chance.

"He was desperately unlucky to get injured last year and it was a real blow for Fulham, but also for his hopes of playing for England.

"I do think he's good enough to play for England regularly and is good enough to occupy two centre halves as a lone striker if [boss] Fabio Capello goes with a 4-3-3."

[WhiteJC]

Martin O'Neill favourite for Fulham job

MARTIN O'Neill has emerged as the early frontunner to become the new Fulham boss.

The Northern Irishman has been out of work since quitting Aston Villa last summer, and is the bookies' favourite at 5/2 to replace Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage.

Ajax manager Martin Jol, who almost took over in SW6 last year, is hot on his heels at 3/1, with former England chief Steve McClaren (6/1) in third.

Ex-Fulham midfielder Lee Clark is at 9/1, while Carlo Ancelotti (10/1) is an outside bet.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/martin-o-neill-favourite-for-fulham-job-82029-28814063/?#ixzz1OCLAosdT

[WhiteJC]

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_7863_everton-club-focus-moyes-to-aston-villa-rumours-continue-as-toffees-search-for-a-striker.html?

Everton Club Focus - Moyes to Aston Villa rumours continue as Toffees search for a striker

Rumours linking David Moyes with the managerial vacancy at Aston Villa have dogged Everton's start to the summer, with the departure of Gerard Houllier only adding to the gossip surrounding the Toffees' boss. Former Fulham manager Mark Hughes is the bookmakers' favourite but Moyes is as short as 10/1 with some outlets.

Moyes was reportedly in Villa's sights last August when Martin O'Neill resigned, but following Houllier's decision to step down, the Scot's name is again being mentioned in connection with the Villa Park outfit. A local newspaper poll found Moyes to be the supporters' choice, with 42% of respondents favouring the 48-year-old ahead of ex-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and the apparent choice, former Manchester United striker Hughes. Hughes received only 6.8% of votes, hardly a ringing endorsement, but with his resignation from Fulham yesterday, the Welshman would be a more straightforward option. Moyes is under a long-term deal at Goodison Park and Everton would demand hefty compensation should he wish to move to the Midlands, although the indications are Moyes is no more interested in the position this summer- than he was last autumn- when he publicly distanced himself from the role.

The tittle-tattle over Moyes' future has threatened to obscure Everton's transfer business. With only James Vaughan having left, and fees yet to be agreed with suitors of Joseph Yobo and Yakubu, Everton are still working on one of the tightest budgets in the Premier League. Loan deals and free transfers appear the most likely route for Everton, although a £9m move for Lille forward Gervinho was strongly mooted in numerous publications this week. Quite where Everton would find £9m going spare was not explained in any of the stories linking the Ivory Coast international with a move to Merseyside - although it is possible the Everton board have provided Moyes with more funds than anyone expects - but the most telling aspect of the transfer rumours around Everton is that most of the players mentioned are forwards. The most recent addition to that list is Miroslav Klose who has been released by Bayern Munich this week.

The Liverpool Echo this week said Everton are not interested in Jay Bothroyd, the England international who left Cardiff City at the end of the season, as it is not felt he is of higher quality than the strikers currently at the club. However, as much as Everton need an injection of quality into their forward line, an injection of quantity is a close second. Jermaine Beckford, Victor Anichebe and Louis Saha are the only senior strikers on the Blues' books, assuming Yakubu moves on, and with Beckford the owner of only a season of Premier League experience, Anichebe an inconsistent and frustrating presence and Saha frail as ever, the ranks are a little thin. Replicating last summer's gamble on Beckford with a move for Bothroyd would have at least given Moyes another option for little financial risk. Beckford eventually adapted to the top flight and Bothroyd has many years of Championship football behind him, which Beckford did not, but it appears Everton's search for a striker will run almost as long as the stories linking Moyes to Villa.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.shoot.co.uk/news/latest_article/C48/premier_league/oneill_for_fulham/?

O'NEILL FOR FULHAM?

The managerial situation at Fulham has taken more unexpected twists with Mark Hughes quitting the club.

Hughes, who was out of contract, had been linked with a move to Villa. But the former Wales boss said there had been no approach from Villa Park.

Then Hughes quit Craven Cottage, despite reports that he had been offered a new deal.

Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who quit Villa on the eve of last season, was immediately made favourite for the Cottagers' hot-seat.

Axed Chelsea gaffer Carlo Ancelotti, who has said he would love to stay in the Premier League, is now the hot favourite to take over at Villa. Former Spurs gaffer Martin Jol is also in the frame, along with Everton's David Moyes.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6964195,00.html?

McLeish in Fulham frame
Blues boss could replace Hughes at Craven Cottage

Skysports.com understands Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has emerged as a candidate for the vacant managerial post at Fulham

Fulham are on the lookout for a new boss after Mark Hughesquit Craven Cottage on Thursday following the expiration of his contract.

A number of names have been linked with the role at Fulham, including Martin O'Neill and Martin Jol, but McLeish is thought to be in the running.

McLeish's future at Birmingham has been the subject of speculation for some time amid reports of strained relations with the club's board.

Birmingham's board backed McLeish in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League, but have put pressure on him to win promotion at the first time of asking.

McLeish remains a highly respected boss, despite Birmingham's relegation, after leading them to Carling Cup success with victory over Arsenal and a place in Europe next season.

The 52-year-old has a wealth of experience having managed Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland prior to taking over at St Andrew's.

McLeish could be attracted by a move back to the Premier League if Fulham come calling for his services.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/03/football-transfer-rumours?

Football transfer rumours: Who will fill Fulham and Villa's hotseats?
Today's fluff and guff has made a huge mistake


'D'oh'. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Before we start, a minute's silence for the death of Mark Hughes's career.

Stop laughing. It's not funny. Not funny at all.

Although the Daily Mail, as on the ball as ever, reports that Hughes is free to talk to Aston Villa, in the same way that Piers Morgan is free to stop Being Piers Morgan, the Mill knows that's not the case. Randy Lerner wants nothing to do with the manager who immediately activated a break clause in his Fulham contract upon hearing that Gérard Houllier had left Villa Park. Only to find out that Villa have absolutely no intention of hiring the man who spent £18m on Roque Santa Cruz. Hughes will spend the rest of the day on the phone to Mohammed Al Fayed trying to convince him that whole break clause thingy was just a practical joke and he's not really leaving Fulham and he'll be in bright and early on Monday morning and, oh God, he's just gone and bought a house in Aston and what the hell is he going to tell the wife now?

So anyway there's a job going at Villa, with Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Roberto Martínez in the frame. Carlo Ancelotti wants to go to a club in the Champions League though. Chelsea sounds fun. Fulham also need a new manager now - oh Sparky! - and Villa's former manager, Martin O'Neill, is the early frontrunner. Fulham are also eyeing up Jol and McClaren, not to mention Nice Chris Hughton and Nice Gianfranco Zola. But not Mark Hughes. No one wants Mark Hughes.

Bored with repeatedly linking Cesc Fábregas to Barcelona, this morning the tabloids have broken with tradition and are ignoring the story completely.

Arsenal have told Real Madrid that they won't be getting Cesc for anything less than £54m.

If Fábregas does go, Arsène Wenger, lurching deeper and deeper into self-parody, will spend a whopping £4m to bring West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemwingie to the Emirates. Showboating dandy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be snapped up for £10m from Southampton. If all that doesn't stop ungrateful supporters complaining about 6% price hikes in season tickets, the Mill doesn't know what will.

Meanwhile Robin van Persie has told Chelsea to "shut the love up". That'll be a two-match ban for Wayne Rooney then. The Dutchman, exhibiting the sort of self-awareness that would shame Sepp Blatter, is fed up with Chelsea's players always complaining about referees. Van Persie is managed by Arsène Wenger. Van Persie, of course, did his bit for the Respect campaign by calling his sending off against Barcelona in March "a total joke". Van Persie wasn't finished there – he also hit out at Barcelona for trying to get opposition players booked, presumably for tackles like this.

Impressed by England's stunning World Cup last summer, Kanny King Kenny wants to build a nucleus of home-grown players at Liverpool. Well it's better than building an army of clones. On the way to Anfield are Sunderland's Jordan Henderson for £20m and Blackburn's Phil Jones for £15m. Smell you later suckers, Number 19 is in the bag. Dalglish will face competition for Jones from Arsenal and Tottenham though. If Henderson does go to Liverpool, Steve Bruce will use the money to bring in social networking's Darron Gibson and Wes Brown from Manchester United.

Wheeling and dealing's Harry Redknapp is in the market for some more players. So what's new? They're not having much luck though, Internacional rejecting a £10.5m bid for their Brazilian international, Leandro Damiao. If Tottenham can't get him, they'll move for up-and-coming tyro Didier Drogba. Wilson Palacios's move to Napoli has stalled though, with Spurs demanding £15m for the Honduran midfielder.

Alexis "Lawrie" Sanchez has told Manchester City he doesn't want to leave Udinese. So there. Real Madrid's manager José Mourinho has told City he won't give them £14m for Emmanuel Adebayor, last seen stomping around Camp Noú karate-chopping any Barcelona player that dared to move. Everton's David Moyes is closing in on Germany's Miroslav Klose, who's very good, although he'll be a bit miffed if he ends up signing Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose, who's very bad. Harry Redknapp is also "aware of Klose's situation". Of course he is. West Ham's Demba Ba could also be on his way to Everton, assuming he can be bothered to scrawl his name on a contract.

Swansea have offered Watford £3m for their striker, Danny Graham, who sounds like he should be auditioning for a role in a Guy Ritchie film. QPR are keeping tabs on former Liverpool and Leeds gadfly Harry Kewell and fellow Australian Lucas Neill, and will use the presence of the Walkabout in Shepherds Bush to sway the pair who are both available on free transfers.

[WhiteJC]

Birmingham City's Alex McLeish and West Brom's Roy Hodgson on Fulham's radar as Mark Hughes replacement?

MARK Hughes' departure as Fulham manager last night could have significant knock-on effects for Blues and Albion.

Both Alex McLeish and Roy Hodgson could be among the prime contenders to replace Hughes at Craven Cottage.

Hughes had been locked in talks with Fulham chiefs after a break clause in his contract kicked in.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss is among the shortlist of Villa targets to step into Gerard Houllier's shoes.

Hughes also has other options – as do Villa – and his exit has left Mohamed Al Fayed needing to rustle up a replacement quickly.

McLeish received the backing of Blues' board after the club's relegation from the Premier League.

But the added rider was that he's expected to deliver promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.

McLeish stated his eagerness to carry on at the helm and get cracking on that task.

And he signed a new three-year contract in September.

But before Survival Sunday his relationship with Carson Yeung and Peter Pannu came under much scrutiny.

There were unsubstantiated suggestions, following Blues' top-flight demise, that although they weren't going to sack him, they wouldn't stand in his way if another job came up.

Yeung inherited McLeish as manager from the Sullivan and Golds regime and is a more demanding supremo. He has yet to appoint his own man to the hot seat as well, of course.

He removed his chief scout, Paul Montgomery, after relegation and McLeish knows that unless Blues keep hold of the nucleus of their squad this summer – which, in fairness, they have stated they would do – then his task could be very tough indeed.

Despite Blues' relegation, McLeish's stock remains high in the game.

Taking Blues to ninth in 2009-10 a year after promotion and the stunning Carling Cup triumph this season, bringing European football to St Andrew's for the first time in half-a-century, has not gone unrecognised elsewhere.

Coincidentally, McLeish also bought a house in Fulham in August. The property was purchased as an investment and because his sons were working in the capital.

Hodgson would also be on Fulham's radar. He steered them to survival following his appointment in 2008, before leading them to seventh spot 12 months later.

The Londoners reached the Europa League final in 2010 with Hodgson then departing for Liverpool.

But he has retained strong links with the Cottagers.

His exit to Anfield 12 months ago was conducted on amicable terms and he still speaks fondly about Fulham.

Hodgson is also mindful that he needs a strong campaign to retain any ambitions to manage at international level, not least with the England job due to become vacant after Euro 2012.

Realistically, Fulham provide a stronger potential for success and will also be competing in the Europa League, perhaps their best hope of silverware.

Hodgson, if he was to be targeted by Fulham, would also need to weigh up whether he could realistically repeat Albion's exploits of this season where, following his appointment, he took them from the brink of the bottom three to 11the spot.

Although Albion have promised to back their manager with an increased budget for wages, he is still likely to have greater financial backing at his former club.

However, Hodgson still has 12 months remaining on his current Albion deal and may opt to remain at B71 out of loyalty.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/06/03/why-villas-search-for-a-manager-does-not-look-set-to-end-in-mar/?

Why Villa's Search for a Manager Does Not Look Set to End in Mark Hughes

Randy Lerner was way past the two minute warning, backed up near his own end zone and facing a fourth and long when Martin O'Neill left the Cleveland Browns owner in the lurch last summer.

The seconds are ticking by again for Lerner now as he faces the prospect of searching for a third manager in less than a year after the Gerard Houllier experiment proved a failure in one of the most depressing and difficult nine-months in the club's long history.

And already it is appearing that Villa's search for Houllier's successor is going to run and run. Mark Hughes was high up on the list, make no mistake, before his conduct in leaving Fulham forced Lerner into a swift u-turn.

Lerner is a consummate professional when it comes to business matters and Hughes' messy exit from Craven Cottage, not to mention the activities of his controversial agent Kia Joorabchian, made him turn the other cheek.

An ambitious approach for Carlo Ancelotti, still licking his wounds from his sacking at Chelsea, has been made but all the feedback received has suggested the Italian wants to remain a contestant in the Champions League.

Fair play to Lerner for asking the question though, and proof that the American wants to aim high and get this appointment right this time.

It is a case of going back to the drawing board, however, and late on Thursday Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner were compiling a short-list of potential candidates.

Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Wigan's Roberto Martinez are expected to feature on Lerner's wish-list, with David Moyes still believed to be out of reach and too expensive.

Lerner is reluctant to pay compensation after having to fork out £2.5 million to ensure a golden handshake for Houllier, while the bitter argument with O'Neill was settled last month at great expense.

That would suggest that Jol and McClaren - both free agents after leaving their respective clubs Ajax and Wolfsburg recently - will be leading contenders.

Already, the prospective managers have been greeted with disdain by the Villa supporters. Even Hughes was viewed as a uninspiring appointment before Lerner dropped his bombshell on Thursday.

But the pressure is on and time is already ticking on a summer that could be vital to the club. The futures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing remain high on the agenda and the new manager will need to recruit excessively this summer.

Lerner has to get this one right. Villa's fans will not tolerate another season spent scrapping around the relegation zone with the dead men.

[Tom]

Birmingham City's Alex McLeish and West Brom's Roy Hodgson on Fulham's radar as Mark Hughes replacement?

MARK Hughes' departure as Fulham manager last night could have significant knock-on effects for Blues and Albion.

Both Alex McLeish and Roy Hodgson could be among the prime contenders to replace Hughes at Craven Cottage.

Hughes had been locked in talks with Fulham chiefs after a break clause in his contract kicked in.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss is among the shortlist of Villa targets to step into Gerard Houllier's shoes.

Hughes also has other options – as do Villa – and his exit has left Mohamed Al Fayed needing to rustle up a replacement quickly.

McLeish received the backing of Blues' board after the club's relegation from the Premier League.

But the added rider was that he's expected to deliver promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.

McLeish stated his eagerness to carry on at the helm and get cracking on that task.

And he signed a new three-year contract in September.

But before Survival Sunday his relationship with Carson Yeung and Peter Pannu came under much scrutiny.

There were unsubstantiated suggestions, following Blues' top-flight demise, that although they weren't going to sack him, they wouldn't stand in his way if another job came up.

Yeung inherited McLeish as manager from the Sullivan and Golds regime and is a more demanding supremo. He has yet to appoint his own man to the hot seat as well, of course.

He removed his chief scout, Paul Montgomery, after relegation and McLeish knows that unless Blues keep hold of the nucleus of their squad this summer – which, in fairness, they have stated they would do – then his task could be very tough indeed.

Despite Blues' relegation, McLeish's stock remains high in the game.

Taking Blues to ninth in 2009-10 a year after promotion and the stunning Carling Cup triumph this season, bringing European football to St Andrew's for the first time in half-a-century, has not gone unrecognised elsewhere.

Coincidentally, McLeish also bought a house in Fulham in August. The property was purchased as an investment and because his sons were working in the capital.

Hodgson would also be on Fulham's radar. He steered them to survival following his appointment in 2008, before leading them to seventh spot 12 months later.

The Londoners reached the Europa League final in 2010 with Hodgson then departing for Liverpool.

But he has retained strong links with the Cottagers.

His exit to Anfield 12 months ago was conducted on amicable terms and he still speaks fondly about Fulham.

Hodgson is also mindful that he needs a strong campaign to retain any ambitions to manage at international level, not least with the England job due to become vacant after Euro 2012.

Realistically, Fulham provide a stronger potential for success and will also be competing in the Europa League, perhaps their best hope of silverware.

Hodgson, if he was to be targeted by Fulham, would also need to weigh up whether he could realistically repeat Albion's exploits of this season where, following his appointment, he took them from the brink of the bottom three to 11the spot.

Although Albion have promised to back their manager with an increased budget for wages, he is still likely to have greater financial backing at his former club.

However, Hodgson still has 12 months remaining on his current Albion deal and may opt to remain at B71 out of loyalty.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz

Good ol uncle Roy already blew his chance. He had the sweetest gig in the world and turned his back on it and walked away. He has a boring style of play and I sure as hell don't want him back. A leopard doesn't change his stripes.  075.gif Woy

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Brede-Hangeland-in-Metro-fantasy-football-team-of-the-season.aspx

BREDE HANGELAND IN METRO FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE SEASON

Here is a great info graphic supplied by the Metro newspaper showing a summary of last seasons team performances from their fantasy football game - It features Hangeland in the team of the season.

The 'FSB points' that power the game are compiled using the OPTA live feed and they have provided a valuable insight into how the season unfolded. The Team of the Season is comprised of the Premier League's top performers and those that showed unwavering loyalty and effort towards their team's cause. The Fantasy League table shows the team's total fantasy league points over the season

[Lighthouse]

MAYBE the Fulham chief executive's trek to Amsterdam last summer will come in handy after all.

Alistair Mackintosh spent two days trying to persuade Martin Jol to swap the Amstel for the Thames – but came back empty handed.

Job already done then on the selling front, and with the Whites a couple of weeks away from the Europa League, an extra enticement for the former Spurs boss to finally sign on the dotted line.

One's thing for sure, Fulham need a new man double quick.

And why would Mark Hughes have quit after just one year and a measure of success at the Cottage, anyway?

Because Fulham don't match up to his ambitions, that's why. And anyone who read our exclusive with Glenn Hoddle speculating on Sparky's future will hardly be amazed the former Chelsea striker has departed so soon.

He had to be persuaded to join in the first place after the Jol overtures went down the pan – not the best of starts when you really want a bit more enthusiasm from the new man.

Hughes insisted this morning there has been no contact with any other club, and this column's copper-bottomed information at midday yesterday was Aston Villa had not been in touch with Fulham over a switch.

But what about down the road?

Hughes was a Chelsea favourite under Hoddle, and his no-nonsense approach with the current Stamford Bridge egos would be a welcome contrast to the more philosophical Ancelotti approach.

Hod wondered out loud whether Hughes fancied their old club as a match to his ambitions – and you don't suddenly quit a decent job unless you've got a better one to go to.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/the-reasons-why-mark-hughes-walked-out-on-fulham-82029-28814432/#ixzz1OCngLV27

[WhiteJC]

Main Man

Danny Murphy reserved special praise for team-mate Clint Dempsey recently when the Fulham skipper reflected on what was a positive 2010/11 season for the American.

Since his arrival in English football in January 2007 Dempsey has impressed and progressed to become one of the Whites' most important players.

Wonderful goals and assists of great importance have made him a popular figure amongst fans on the banks of the Thames, while his tenacity, versatility and commitment to the cause have won admiration from his peers.

"I think people forget just what Clint can bring to a side," said Murphy speaking to fulhamfc.com. "We know that he has a lot of skill and is one of those players that can make things happen out of nothing.

"But there's more to his game. He tracks back, he wins tackles and is a valuable outlet when under pressure. I think he's the longest-serving player in the current squad and that's testament to his ability and how much he means to the Club.

"For me, last season he was terrific – he really stood out."

The 28-year-old became Fulham's record Premier League goal scorer taking his tally to 33, 12 of which came in his 36 league appearances last term. Although not naturally considered a player that leads the line in the Bobby Zamora sense, in the England international's absence, Dempsey coped admirably.



"Clint was probably the mainstay of our strike force for long periods of the season," explained Murphy. "We had a lot of injuries to our forwards with Bobby joined by Mousa Dembélé and Andrew Johnson for long periods.

"As a result a lot of pressure was put on his [Clint's] shoulders and he did extremely well. If it wasn't for his goals and desire to do well, at what proved to be a difficult time, then things could have been very different for us.

"He's a player that has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and that was very evident last season. It was difficult having so many of the forwards missing, because let's be honest, they are the team's main source of goals.

"But Clint stepped up and relieved the pressure. I think he can be very happy with how he played last year and to become the Club's leading Premier League goal scorer shows the contribution that he has made since he came in.

"He's a player that always strives to improve," added Murphy. "To be honest he could play in any system, he's very adaptable. I'm sure there is plenty more to come and I look forward to seeing what he can do because make no mistake he's a very important player for us."

With the 2011/12 campaign starting early due to Fulham's participation in the UEFA Europa League next season, Dempsey's skill, drive and capacity for brilliance will again prove crucial.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/MurphyPraise.aspx#ixzz1ODCDcJhu

[WhiteJC]

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/fulham-managerial-contenders-37191/?

Fulham managerial contenders

With Mark Hughes leaving Craven Cottage tonight, Fulham are looking for a new manager for the second summer in succession. Here we assess the possible candidates to replace him.

Gus Poyet
Poyet's stock has risen after he led Brighton & Hove Albion to the League One title at a canter last season. The former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder did, however, rule himself out of a move to West Ham last month, although a return to west London and the Barclays Premier League may sway him.

Chris Hughton
Hughton won over many fans after leading Newcastle back to the Premier League and establishing them firmly in the top-flight before his shock sacking mid-way through last season. Since then the 52-year-old has been linked with a number of posts, including the vacant Cardiff job, without being appointed.

Alan Curbishley
Curbishley was the favourite to be handed the Craven Cottage hot seat last year when Roy Hodgson moved to Anfield. The former West Ham and Charlton boss would, therefore, look set to be high on the wish-list again with his track record of handling a tight budget likely to appeal to Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Steve McClaren
The former England manager was sacked by German side Wolfsburg in February, after winning just five games of 21 in charge. The 50-year-old did win the Dutch league with FC Twente previous to his move to Germany. Should Fulham plump for him it will be McClaren's first job in England since the ill-fated Euro 2008 campaign ended in the rain at Wembley almost four years ago.

Martin Jol
The Dutchman is free to make a move back to the premier League after leaving his post at Ajax mid-way through their title-winning campaign. Jol won admirers for the attractive football played under him at Spurs and has shown interest in a return to the Premier League before.

Martin O'Neill
The Irishman recently announced he is ready for a return to management following his messy departure from Aston Villa on the eve of last season. O'Neill helped lift Villa up the table during his time in charge and after impressive stints with Celtic and Leicester on his CV he remains an attractive possibility.

[WhiteJC]

Was a Deal Almost Done?
The fall-out from Mark Hughes sudden and dramatic departure from Craven Cottage continues to dominate the news.

One leading tabloid carries an article that infers that negotiations were, it`s thought, to have reached a successful conclusion with a club insider providing the following dialect to the reference tabloid,

"On Wednesday evening there was a fully negotiated two-year contract with a substantial pay-rise just needing to be checked over by lawyers and to be signed by mark Hughes."

"Yet less than a day later it`s all over and he`s resigned. But of a manager can`t give commitment or loyalty to the chairman then its best they move on now and not in August with a new season looming."

Obviously a clear reference to Roy Hodgson jumping ship at the last moment last summer.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243493#ixzz1ODClWKGo

[WhiteJC]

A Tale of Two Statements?
The departure of Mark Hughes, one leading tabloid reckons, could well have been down to a lack of ambition shown by the club.

If we take a trip back in time to May 11th 2011 we find that Mark Hughes is quoted as saying,

"I am very happy at Craven Cottage and am looking forward to building on what we have achieved this season. I enjoy a good relationship with the owner, management, players and fans of Fulham and look forward to continuing that relationship next season."

But returning to yesterday, June 2nd 2011 and Mark`s departing statement, we find that things had changed dramatically,

"As a young ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences. I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached - or have been approached - by another club."

Something that was subsequently born out when Aston Villa blew out of the water speculation that Hughes was the favourite to become their manager by remarking he wasn`t even on their radar.

So what has changed so dramatically in such a short space of time?

Clearly something is amiss, clearly something changed to make Hughes walk away.

If the crux of the matter is a lack of ambition, or to put it more succinctly a lack of transfer funds compared to what Hughes wanted, where does it leave us as a football club?

Would you want to come to Craven Cottage knowing that mid-table after mid-table is all you`re likely to ever accomplish in and working in an environment whereby transfers are from the bargain bucket, or have we gauged the whole situation wrong?

Perhaps Hughes never had any intention of remaining at Craven Cottage on a long term basis. Perhaps Hughes saw the post merely as a gap-filler on a curriculum vitae that didn`t need an eighteen month gap. Perhaps Hughes used us to simply fill that gap knowing we were always too good to put a relegation black-spot on the reference document and that something just above mid-table would be recognised as a decent enough spell here?

Who knows anymore!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243494#ixzz1ODCxIAT9

[WhiteJC]

Who`ll Be Next?
With Mark Hughes gone the search is on for his replacement.

Already several names have been thrown into the hat, some, we feel, more favourable than others.

Early contenders are - Martin O`Neill, Steve McClaren, Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol and Carlo Ancelotti.

At this early stage of the search has anyone got any preferences?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243497#ixzz1ODD64h1M

[WhiteJC]

Zamora Injury Worry!
Any hopes we had of seeing Bobby Zamora lining up for England, against Switzerland, on Saturday afternoon, may have been dashed.

It`s being reported in the press this morning that Darren Bent is, currently, the only fit striker in the England camp.

Apparently Bobby is suffering from a hip injury picked up in the latter stages of the season and might not be considered fit enough to start.

Damn, there goes a decent afternoon`s entertainment!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243495#ixzz1ODDLifSq