Friday Fulham Stuff (30/07/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/fulham_set_to_take_legal_action_against_pl_chairman_541227/index.shtml
Fulham Set To Take Legal Action Against PL Chairman

Fulham will reportedly take legal action against Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards for being involved in Peter Crouch's transfer from Portsmouth to Tottenham.

The Cottagers believe Richards helped Spurs do the £9m deal last July and are so irate about missing out on him that they want investigations into the transfer.

Fulham believe they had tied up an £11m deal with Pompey for the striker and are in no doubt that the situation altered when Richards became intertwined.

A source confirmed to SunSport: "Fulham believed Crouch was theirs. They were staggered when he joined Spurs for £2m less than they offered."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/young_in_fulhams_sights_541228/index.shtml
Young In Fulham's Sights

Fulham have joined Liverpool in the hunt for Aston Villa defender Luke Young.

The Anfield club appeared to be the only interested party in for the 31-year old right-back but Fulham have now made their intentions clear by expressing their interest.

Reports suggest Young does not want to head north and would rather return to London where he had stints with Tottenham and Charlton Athletic.

Incoming Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is believed to be keen on Young and is expected to push through a deal when he arrives in the Craven Cottage hot seat.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/hughes-starts-work-at-fulham?
Hughes starts work at Fulham

Mark Hughes could be set to raid his old club after being confirmed as Fulham's new manager.

Hughes, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Cottagers, will appoint his own regular backroom staff that includes assistant Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

The Welshman faces a number of dilemmas. Firstly, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is a target for Arsenal and Hughes will need to pull out all the stops to persuade him to stay. Left-back Paul Konchesky has been linked with a move to Liverpool while Hughes will turn to former club Manchester City to try and land Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz.

Fulham's first-team coach Ray Lewington, who was caretaker manager following Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool, is expected to stay after being assured there is a place for him at Craven Cottage. Goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly is expected to leave for Liverpool.

Hughes acknowledged Hodgson's success, most notably taking them to the Europa League final last season, but declared that he already has a vision for the next stage of Fulham's future.

"I have discussed my aspirations with both the chairman and (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," Hughes told the club's official website.

"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition.

"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that.

"I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6285761,00.html?
Roy backs Hughes to shine
Reds manager expects new Cottagers boss to do well

Former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson feels his successor Mark Hughes will be a good fit at Craven Cottage.

The appointment of former Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City manager Hughes on a two-year deal was confirmed by the Cottagers on Thursday night.

The post was available after Hodgson, who guided Fulham to the Europa League final last term, departed the London club for Liverpoollast month.

And the 62-year-old, speaking after Reds' Europa League qualifier against FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia on Thursday, was full of praise for his replacement.

Pleased

"It is a good appointment," said Hodgson. "I am very pleased for him and Fulham Football Club.

"I think Mark is a very good manager and he has proved his worth many times.

"It is good Fulham have got such an experienced man to take over.

"I think he will enjoy working at Fulham because it is a fantastic club with fantastic people and magnificent players.

"I wish him well, but not too well when he plays against us - but I know he will do well."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Hughes-starts-work-at-Fulham-article541727.html
Hughes starts work at Fulham

Mark Hughes could be set to raid his old club after being confirmed as Fulham's new manager.

Hughes, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Cottagers, will appoint his own regular backroom staff that includes assistant Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

The Welshman faces a number of dilemmas. Firstly, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is a target for Arsenal and Hughes will need to pull out all the stops to persuade him to stay. Left-back Paul Konchesky has been linked with a move to Liverpool while Hughes will turn to former club Manchester City to try and land Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz.

Fulham's first-team coach Ray Lewington, who was caretaker manager following Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool, is expected to stay after being assured there is a place for him at Craven Cottage. Goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly is expected to leave for Liverpool.

Hughes acknowledged Hodgson's success, most notably taking them to the Europa League final last season, but declared that he already has a vision for the next stage of Fulham's future.

"I have discussed my aspirations with both the chairman and (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," Hughes told the club's official website.

"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition.

"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that.

"I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Hughes-starts-work-at-Fulham-article541727.html#ixzz0v9AoJKke
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[WhiteJC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8866133.stm
Mark Hughes named new manager of Premier League Fulham

Mark Hughes has been confirmed as Fulham's new manager, signing a two-year deal with the west London club.

Hughes, 46, had been out of work since being sacked by Manchester City in December 2009 and replaces Roy Hodgson.

"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history," he told the Fulham website.

"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction."

The Welshman will be unveiled as manager on 3 August and his first match in charge will be a friendly against Werder Bremen four days later.

BBC Sport understands that he has been successful in securing positions for his trusted backroom team of Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki, who all worked with him at City.

606: DEBATE
What is the style of play under Hughes? At Blackburn, it was all a bit hoof ball. However, at Manchester City it was quite nice, passing football
Uncle Roy

But that raises a question mark over the position of Fulham's first-team coach Ray Lewington, who was caretaker manager after Hodgson left for Liverpool earlier this month.

It is also believed that Hughes will look to tempt out-of-favour City players to London, including Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Stephen Ireland.

"I have discussed my aspirations with both the chairman [Mohamed Al Fayed] and Alistair Mackintosh [chief executive, with whom he worked at City] and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," said Hughes.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that."
He added: "I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."

Hughes, a former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker, began his managerial career with Wales in 1999. He took them to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004, only to denied by a play-off loss to Russia.

I know that he understands my vision for the club
Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed

He was appointed by City in 2008 but the club's change of ownership and hugely increased budget and level of expectation meant he only had 18 months in the job before he was replaced by Roberto Mancini.

At Fulham, he will work with more modest resources but will inherit a side left in good shape by Hodgson.

Last season, Hodgson guided the Cottagers on a memorable Europa League campaign, which ended when they lost in the final to Atletico Madrid.

Fulham had attempted to recruit Ajax coach Martin Jol but were forced to look elsewhere when the Dutch club refused to let the former Tottenham manager leave.

However, Cottagers chairman Mohamed Al Fayed described Hughes as "a great guy".

Al Fayed added: "I know that he understands my vision for the club and believes in what we want to achieve.

"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue."

Hughes's first Premier League game in charge of Fulham will be away to Bolton on 14 August. The Cottagers will then host Manchester United on 22 August.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/New-Fulham-boss-Mark-Hughes-targets-Manchester-City-trio-Stephen-Ireland-Craig-Bellamy-and-Roque-Santa-Cruz-in-squad-shake-up-article541207.html
New Fulham boss Mark Hughes targets Man City trio in squad shake up

Mark Hughes signed a two-year deal as Fulham boss last night – and will now have to work fast ahead of the transfer deadline.

Among his priorities will be moves for Manchester City pair Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy.

Ireland was outstanding at City for Hughes, while Bellamy has played some of his best football under his fellow Welshman – for City, Blackburn and Wales – but is also a target for Tottenham.

Both players are surplus to requirements at Eastlands, and Hughes could even move for City's Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz, who impressed under the Welshman at Rovers.

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, 27, agreed terms on a £2million move to Craven Cottage three weeks ago, pending a medical, and 'Sparky' must decide whether to go ahead with the deal.

And Villa team-mate Luke Young is holding out for a move to Fulham after rejecting Liverpool after the clubs had agreed a £2.5m fee.

Hughes will also have to ease uncertainty within the squad over the futures of NINE senior Fulham players with just a year left on their contracts.

They include 33-year-old skipper Danny Murphy and keeper Mark Schwarzer, who was the subject of a rejected £2m bid by Arsenal.

Hughes said: "I'm joining Fulham on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the ch allenges of expectation and ambition.

"I'm confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/New-Fulham-boss-Mark-Hughes-targets-Manchester-City-trio-Stephen-Ireland-Craig-Bellamy-and-Roque-Santa-Cruz-in-squad-shake-up-article541207.html#ixzz0v9CDr5Il
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[WhiteJC]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23861633-mark-hughes-keen-to-take-fulham-in-right-direction.do?
Mark Hughes keen to take Fulham in right direction

Mark Hughes could be set to raid his old club after being confirmed as Fulham's new manager.

Hughes has agreed a two-year deal with the Cottagers to become the successor to Roy Hodgson.

Fulham's failure to prise Martin Jol from Ajax left Hughes in pole position and the former Manchester City boss will begin work at the club immediately.

He will take charge of his first match in a friendly against Werder Bremen on August 7 and be unveiled to the media next Tuesday.

But the most immediate task for Hughes will be to bring in fresh blood to a Fulham squad honed superbly by Hodgson before his departure for Liverpool.

He will also appoint his own regular backroom staff that includes assistant Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

Fulham's first-team coach Ray Lewington, who was caretaker manager following Hodgson's departure to Liverpool, is expected to stay after being assured there is a place for him at Craven Cottage. Goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly is expected to leave for Liverpool.

Hughes acknowledged Hodgson's success, most notably taking them to the Europa League final last season, but declared that he already has a vision for the next stage of Fulham's future.

"I have discussed my aspirations with both the chairman and (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," Hughes told the club's official website.

"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition.

"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that.

"I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."

But Hughes faces a number of dilemmas. Firstly, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is a target for Arsenal and Hughes will need to pull out all the stops to persuade him to stay.

Left-back Paul Konchesky has also been linked with a move to Liverpool while Hughes will turn to former club Manchester City to try and land Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz.

Hughes began his transition from a highly-decorated player to successful manager when he took charge of the Welsh national team in 1999.

He won praise for his efforts in the role, although he could not quite steer them to the major championships the nation desired.

He resigned his post in 2004, taking over at the club where he had ended his playing days, Blackburn.

From there he was appointed boss of Manchester City but despite pushing the club into the top six, the aspirations changed when Abu Dhabi United Group took charge.

The takeover made City the richest club in the world but even though Hughes spent heavily on players, the progress was not considered good enough and he was sacked last December.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/frattonlatest/Hughes-set-to-provide-spark.6448617.jp?
Hughes set to provide spark for Fulham at Fratton

Mark Hughes is expected to lead out Fulham for the first time when they visit Fratton Park tomorrow.
The former Wales manager has been named as Roy Hodgson's successor at Craven Cottage.

That will put him in line to take his new side to Pompey tomorrow for Linvoy Primus' testimonial.

The 46-year-old has been out of work since being sacked as Manchester City boss in December 2009.

Fulham had wanted to recruit Ajax coach Martin Jol to replace Roy Hodgson, who left earlier this month to take charge at Liverpool.

However, they were forced to look elsewhere when the Dutch club refused to let the former Spurs manager leave.

That put Hughes in the frame along with Sven-Goran Eriksson – but the Welshman has emerged triumphant.

Last season, Hodgson guided the Cottagers on a memorable Europa League campaign, which ended when they lost in the final to Atletico Madrid.

The arrival of Hughes will almost certainly be followed by a reshuffle of the backroom staff at Craven Cottage.

First-team coach Ray Lewington, currently caretaker manager following Hodgson's departure, has been linked with a move to Anfield but looks set to stay at Fulham.

However, Hughes is expected to bring in his own regular backroom staff including Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

Former Blackburn boss Hughes will also link up again with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who he worked with during his time at Manchester City.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_6285841,00.html?
SPARKY GETS GOING STRAIGHT AWAY

So Mark Hughes is the new Fulham manager, in a move that more or less everyone will nod their heads and say 'Yeah, that fits'.

And according to The Daily Mirror, he's getting to work straight away on bringing some old friends with him to the Cottage.

The paper reports he will move straight away for Manchester City trio Stephen Ireland, Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz.

So far, so predictable.

Steve Sidwell also apparently agreed a deal to move before Sparky's appointment, and is just waiting for the new man's nod before that one goes through.

However, an interesting line in The Mirror's story is that Luke Young is 'holding out' for Fulham, after turning down Liverpool.

Annoyingly, they don't tell us why he said no, but 'sitting on a slightly different bench' is probably a decent bet.


AH! HERE'S WHY
Silly Gossip Column. Being so naive and all that.

According to The Daily Star, the move is off after Young refused to take a £10,000-a-week pay cut.

They say that Young was offered a £37k deal, but said no dice. Now, after taking off our socks to count on our toes, we've worked out that means he's on £47k at Aston Villa.

£47k!

[Burt]

All this stuff about Hughes being our next manager must be true.

Not only is it in the leading, most thoughtful publications (Sun, Mirror, etc), my daughter woke me up at some ungodly hour to say that it had been on the telly too.

Welcome Mr Hughes sir, may your reign here be a long and successful one.

[WhiteJC]

http://menmedia.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1312621_new_fulham_boss_hughes_plans_city_raid?
New Fulham boss Hughes plans City raid

Mark Hughes is planning a raid on the Blues to take Roque Santa Cruz, Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy to his new club Fulham.

Hughes took over at Craven Cottage last night on a two-year deal, seven months after he was sacked by City.

The Welshman brought Bellamy and Santa Cruz to Eastlands, having previously signed them during his time in charge at Blackburn.

And both, along with Academy graduate Ireland, look surplus to requirements at City as Roberto Mancini looks to trim his squad.

Mancini, who replaced Hughes, is ready to sell left-back Javier Garrido to Lazio for £2.5m, while Stoke are understood to have also made contact with the Blues over Santa Cruz.

Tottenham are interested in Bellamy, although they are only prepared to offer around £4m for the 31-year-old – a third of the price City paid West Ham for him 18 months ago.

But City have stalled in their bid to sign England midfielder James Milner. Aston Villa are refusing to budge from their £30m asking price, which the Blues feel is far too much.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is under no great pressure to sell, and has taken Milner to Portugal with the club for a pre-season tournament this weekend.

The Blues, though, are close to signing Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli for £24m. Mino Raiola, the 19-year-old's agent, has been to Manchester to try to sort out contract negotiations.

Mancini, who gave Balotelli his debut when he was in charge at Inter, is certain the striker will be a big success in the Premier League.

"Good players do well wherever they play and he can demonstrate his value in England," said Mancini.

"As a player, I like him. I gave him his debut in Serie A because he has talent and like many of the Inter players I know him well.

"It's not true he has a difficult character – at that age everybody has made mistakes. Mario is a good lad."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-chairman-al-fayed-delighted-hughes-arrival-1010381?
Fulham chairman Al Fayed delighted with Hughes arrival

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is delighted with the arrival of new manager Mark Hughes.

Fulham had been seeking a replacement for Roy Hodgson since he swapped Craven Cottage for Anfield earlier this summer, and failed in a bid to prise Martin Jol from Ajax.

Former Manchester City boss Hughes emerged as the frontrunner after talks with the Dutchman ran their course, and he will begin work at the club immediately, taking charge of his first match in the friendly meeting with Werder Bremen on August 7.

Al Fayed said: "I would like to welcome Mark Hughes to Fulham. I know that he understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we want achieve.

"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I am confident that with his Premier League and national team successes Mark will be a great guy for the job."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6285980,00.html?
Petrov hopeful pair will stay
Villa skipper keen for Sidwell and Reo-Coker to remain

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov wants Steven Sidwell and Nigel Reo-Coker to remain at the club.

Sidwell has been linked with a switch to Fulham while Reo-Coker is reportedly keen to guarantee himself regular first-team football.

Petrov, though, is hopeful the pair will stay at Villa Park having built up a rapport with the players over the years.

He said in the Daily Star: "They have showed that they've got a very good attitude.

"Even when they weren't playing. Every time when the manager picked them to play they tried their best and he knows that.

"We would love them to stay because they're good players, but the manager has a different opinion.

"The manager is trying to bring in new faces and to let some people go.

"But even if we stay the way we are, we have still got a team to compete because every player in our team is a good player. Some people may leave and other people will come in.

"It's hard to see when you've played with somebody for three or four years and you've gone through a lot of hard work all that time to see them leaving, but that's the way football goes."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/July/FulhamXIFaceKingstonian.aspx?
Fulham XI Face Kingstonian
Friday 30th July 2010

A Fulham XI will face Kingstonian this evening at Kingsmeadow (kick-off 7:45pm).

Venue: Kingsmeadow, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB

Ticket prices: (available to buy on the gate):
Adult: £9.50
O.A.P / Disabled: £6.50
Student (U21): £4
Junior (U16): £2



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/July/FulhamXIFaceKingstonian.aspx?#ixzz0vA2di4fT

[WhiteJC]

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/07/30/fulham-steal-in-for-villas-luke-young/?
Fulham steal in for Villa's Luke Young

Fulham were today poised to capitalise on the collapse of Villa defender Luke Young's proposed move to Liverpool.

The Cottagers, who appointed Mark Hughes as their new manager last night, are keen on the out-of-favour Villa right-back, who is available for £2.5million.

Fulham's interest in the former England international dates back to when Hodgson was manager at Craven Cottage and they will have been encouraged by the former Tottenham player's reluctance to relocate to the north.

Liverpool had agreed a £2.5million deal with Villa on Tuesday but it's believed the player was unable to agree personal terms.

Young is now expected to be involved in Villa's Guadiana Cup games against Feyenoord and Benfica over the weekend in Portugal after playing just one game in pre-season to date, against Basingstoke.

Despite being one of the most popular players at the club, Young found himself out of favour at Villa last season after centre-back Carlos Cuellar was preferred in his specialist right-back position.

Young was restricted to just 14 Premier League starts.

He is one of six players – Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell and Nicky Shorey are the others – who have been made available for transfer this summer by Villa, who must adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer.

Villa, meanwhile, will refrain from rushing James Collins back into action as the injured defender fights to be fit to face West Ham on the opening day.

Collins has travelled out to Portugal with the rest of Villa's squad  despite pulling up with a calf problem, just 30 seconds into Tuesday's friendly victory over Walsall.

The Welshman, who has endured a stop-start pre-season after missing the Bohemians friendly with the same problem, did not train yesterday and is a major doubt for the weekend games.

He now faces a race against time to be ready for his old club in Villa's Premier League curtain raiser a fortnight tomorrow – but the club will take a softly, softly approach.



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/07/30/fulham-steal-in-for-villas-luke-young/?#ixzz0vA307zNO

[WhiteJC]

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/836641-fulhams-mark-schwarzer-still-keen-on-arsenal-move-despite-mark-hughes-arrival?
Fulham's Mark Schwarzer still keen on Arsenal move despite Mark Hughes' arrival
Mark Schwarzer is still determined to complete a move to Arsenal despite the arrival of new Fulham boss Mark Hughes.

However, the new appointment has not swayed the 37-year-old Australian goalkeeper, who is still keen to seal a move to the Emirates.

Schwarzer has been one of many goalkeepers linked with Arsenal as manager Arsene Wenger is keen to find a new number one after losing faith in Manuel Almunia.

Fulham have already rejected a £2 million approach from Arsenal for the shot-stopper, with the London club apparently reluctant to improve on this offer.

Arsenal have also been linked with Dutch World Cup goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Cagliari's Federico Marchetti.

If Hughes does decide to let Schwarzer leave, then West Ham and England goalkeeper Robert Green is being touted as a possible replacement.

Green is valued at around the £6 million mark, with Hughes given a £20 million transfer kitty to build on the squad left by Roy Hodgson before he decided to take on managerial duties at Liverpool.

Hughes also faces a decision over whether to finalise a contract with Aston Villa over midfielder Steve Sidwell.

A £2 million deal has been in the pipeline for some weeks as Fulham waited to appoint a replacement for Hodgson.

Many of Hughes' old players at Manchester City including Craig Bellamy, Steven Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz have also been linked with moves to Craven Cottage.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6286064,00.html?
Baggies lead Pantsil chase
New-boys looking to land Ghana international

Skysports.com understands that Premier League new-boys West Brom are leading the chase for Fulham's Ghana international defender John Pantsil.

The 29-year-old is now back with the Cottagers following a successful World Cup finals where the Black Stars reached the quarter finals before having their hearts broken by Uruguay.

Fulham have just named Mark Hughes as their new boss and it is believed the ex-Manchester City manager could be prepared to let the defender leave.

The Craven Cottage outfit have been linked with Aston Villa right-back Luke Young and are mulling over selling Pantsil rather than losing him for free next summer.

The former West Ham defender, who has performed consistently at Premier League level, has one year left on his Fulham contract.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7918263/Fulham-manager-Mark-Hughes-makes-signing-Craig-Bellamy-top-priority.html?
Fulham manager Mark Hughes makes signing Craig Bellamy top priority
Fulham's new manager Mark Hughes is set to hijack Tottenham's plans to sign Craig Bellamy from Manchester City, according to reports.

Hughes, who yesterday agreed a two-year deal to replace Roy Hodgson as manager of Fulham, is believed to have told the board at Craven Cottage that securing Bellamy's signature is of the utmost priority as he looks to continue the club's success over the last two seasons.

For his part, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to sign the City striker having tried to sign him earlier this year, but he admits he doubts the deal would ever go through.

"I like Craig Bellamy but I don't know if they would sell him," Redknapp told the Guardian. "The chairman deals with all the transfers. He asks me what I want and I tell him. I don't know where he's at with Bellamy, if anywhere."

However it seems that if Bellamy were to move, Hughes would have the upper hand having worked with the 31-year-old at three different clubs as well as during his brief stint as Wales manager.

Talking to Fulham's website for the first time after it was announced he would succeed Hodgson, Hughes made it clear he had explained his vision for the club to chairman chairman Mohamed Al Fayed.

"I have discussed my aspirations with the chairman and [the chief executive] Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here. I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition.

"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward. I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign."

Bellamy aside, it has also been reported that Hughes wants to sign former players midfielder Stephen Ireland and the striker Roque Santa Cruz, also from City.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-legend-cohen-welcomes-hughes-appointment-1010681?
Fulham legend Cohen welcomes Hughes appointment

Fulham and England legend George Cohen believes Mark Hughes can continue Roy Hodgson's excellent work.

World Cup winner Cohen, 70, spent all his career with the Whites.

He said: "He's a quiet man and that's the right approach for Fulham.

"Roy's personality suited Fulham very well.

"Mark is a quiet man. People who shout don't impress me - Alf Ramsey was a quiet man, too.

"This is a job Mark will look at and think 'I've got something to follow here' because Roy's 2½ years at Fulham were outstanding.

"He knows he's got a good squad but will want to add to it. I'm sure he'll get the club's full support."

Cohen also urged Hughes to keep goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and added: "I'd like him to stay. He was outstanding last year."