Sunday Fulham Stuff (03/06/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham want Jokanovic to sign new contract

Fulham plan to offer head coach Slavisa Jokanovic a new contract in the coming weeks.

The club will hold talks with the 49-year-old when he returns from holiday later this month.

Jokanovic's current deal, which was signed in February 2017, expires next year and the Whites are keen to reward him for guiding the club to promotion back to the Premier League.

Fulham also want to buy Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matt Targett, who have been on loan from Newcastle and Southampton respectively.

But they are set to lose the out-of-contract Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer to West Ham after refusing to meet his high wage demands.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-want-jokanovic-to-sign-new-contract

[WhiteJC]

Fulham ready to offer Jokanovic new deal
by Dan on June 2, 2018

Fulham are preparing to offer Slavisa Jokanovic a long-term deal to stay at Craven Cottage after the Serbian guided the Whites to the Premier League.

The club are keen to reward their head coach for his achievements and avoid him being poached by rivals as his reputation as one of the game's best young managers grows. Fulham are also eager to ensure Jokanovic, who left Watford after a wage dispute having guided the Hornets to promotion in 2015, feels valued in west London and will look to begin negotiations over a new deal when their head coach returns from his holiday in a couple of weeks time.

Jokanovic, whose current contract expires next summer, is also likely to be backed significantly in the transfer market as Fulham look to establish themselves again in the top flight after a four-year absence. The 49 year-old has previously been upset by the club's recruitment policy but, following the success of a January window that saw loan signings Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matt Targett move to Fulham, will be a key figure in devising the Whites' latest list of targets.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/06/fulham-ready-to-offer-jokanovic-new-deal/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to open Slavisa Jokanovic contract talks later this month

Fulham are set for talks with manager Slavisa Jokanovic over a new contract later this month, Sky Sports News understands.

The Whites want to offer him a new deal after promotion to the Premier League and will sit down with him when he returns from holiday.

The 49-year-old has also attracted interest from other clubs including Chelsea, where manager Antonio Conte's future remains in doubt.

Jokanovic, who played for Chelsea, sees his current Fulham contract expire next summer.

He earned his second promotion to the top-flight on May 26 when the Whites beat Aston Villa in the play-off final at Wembley, having previously gone up with Watford in 2015.

The Serbian's Fulham side went from 12th to a third-place finish via a 23-game unbeaten run in the second half of the season, after the arrivals of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matt Targett on loan in the January window.

The club are understood to want both players on permanent deals but discussions will not take place until further into the summer.

The Whites plan to be ambitious in the transfer market but are set to lose right-back Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer to West Ham after refusing to meet his wage demands.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11392559/fulham-to-open-slavisa-jokanovic-contract-talks-later-this-month

[WhiteJC]

 
Shots To Host Premier League's Newest Club



Aldershot have announced they are to host a friendly game between Premier League newboys Fulham and Championship Reading.

It will be the second time Fulham have hired the EBB Stadium to play a pre-season game.

They faced Brighton two years ago at Aldershot - and another big crowd is expected.

Slaviša Jokanović's Whites won the Championship play-off final last weekend as they defeated Aston Villa 1-0.

Paul Clement's Royals are hoping for a better season a after difficult campaign.

The friendly will take place on Saturday July 14, kick-off 1.30pm.




http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/shots-to-host-premier-leagues-newest-club-51088

[WhiteJC]

 
Di Marzio: Chelsea have held talks with Fulham boss Jokanovic



As per a report from highly-respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio this morning, the Chelsea board have held talks with Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic over the possibility of replacing Antonio Conte at the club.

Struggles
Following a stellar debut campaign at the helm at Stamford Bridge during which he brought the Premier League title back to the club, Antonio Conte was dealt a major bout of 'second-season syndrome' over the last 9 months, with fine displays on behalf of the capital giants all too often followed by flat, uninspired showings.

The Blues relinquished their Premier League crown to Manchester City, were eliminated by Barcelona by an aggregate scoreline of 4 goals to 1 in the Champions League's last-16, and failed to secure a place in the Premier League's top 4, thus missing out on a Champions League spot for next season.

Manager hunt
Though Chelsea did manage to restore some semblance of pride by clinching the FA Cup with a 1-0 final victory over Manchester United two weeks ago, according to mounting reports across Europe, this will not be enough to save Antonio Conte's job.

As such, a number of managers have already been touted as potential replacements for Conte at Stamford Bridge, with former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri having previously been viewed as the clear favourite.

However, in a surprise twist, Chelsea refused to pay the 8 million Euro release clause in the Italian tactician's contract with Napoli (which has since expired), with the Blues having reportedly now moved onto other managerial targets.

Laurent Blanc, Zinedine Zidane and even Avram Grant have been named as possible arrivals at Stamford Bridge over the last couple of days, and, as per the latest update courtesy of Gianluca Di Marzio this morning, yet another tactician has now been added to the growing watch-list of the Blues.

Serbian surprise?
As mentioned above, the manager in question is Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, who recently guided the Cottagers back to the Premier League courtesy of a 1-0 Championship playoff final victory versus Aston Villa.

Jokanovic has been widely praised for the brand of football that he has instilled at Craven Cottage since his arrival at the club in 2015, with his list of admirers seemingly stretching to Stamford Bridge.

In fact, according to Di Marzio, Chelsea have already held a meeting with the Serbian tactician to discuss the possibility of him taking over from Antonio Conte, with another meeting between the parties scheduled for this evening.



https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/di-marzio-chelsea-held-talks-fulham-boss-jokanovic/

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Newcastle United want £20m for Fulham target Aleksandar Mitrovic

Newcastle United have placed a price tag of £20m on Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to a report.

The Serbia striker enjoyed a fruitful end to his domestic season, hitting 12 goals in 17 games for Fulham after his loan move in January to help the Cottagers earn promotion to the Premier League.

According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez wants a target man forward that needs able to adapt to his system better than Mitrovic.

The report adds that the Magpies are nonetheless in no position to sell on the cheap and will hold out for more than Fulham's purported £15m offer for the 23-year-old.

Crystal Palace have also been linked with Mitrovic, while a number of overseas clubs have reportedly declared their interest in the World Cup-bound attacker.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/newcastle-united/transfer-talk/news/newcastle-want-20m-for-mitrovic_327398.html

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham's swoop for Fredericks will be hard to top in terms of value this summer

Fulham's flying full-back Ryan Fredericks has signed a four-year deal with West Ham United and will complete the move next week, according to the Evening Standard.

What's the latest, then?

The Standard report that Fredericks, who has let his Craven Cottage run down despite a season that saw the Whites win promotion back to the Premier League, has signed a deal to join Manuel Pellegrini's West Ham revolution.

It goes on to say that Fredericks wanted to be Fulham's highest earner on around £40,000 per week which is why a new deal was not agreed and the Hammers have swooped to match his wage demands.

It also reports that Pellegrini is set to be joined by confidante Mario Husillos as Head of Recruitment at the London Stadium, although it remains to be seen what influence he has on the Fredericks deal.

Fredericks is an absolute steal

In terms of value, for a player of the right age to add something West Ham lack – pace – this free transfer for Fredericks will take some beating in this transfer window.

Pablo Zabaleta can mentor the English flier, as his creaking legs should see him dropping to the bench more often than not next season despite the arrival of his former Manchester City boss Pellegrini.

He is lightening fast and his defending has come along so much in recent seasons. He's a player that should fetch about £12m in the current market, so to get him for free is a steal in a market when many teams will be paying over the odds this summer.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/west-ham/west-hams-swoop-for-fredericks-will-be-hard-to-top-in-terms-of-value-this-summer

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham successfully stolen Fredericks, must secure Targett as well

OPINION

West Ham must swoop for Southampton's Matt Targett before Fulham get the opportunity to as the left-sided defender would be a huge hit at the London Stadium.

The Hammers have already inflicted the Cottagers with a noticeable blow by securing the services of their speed demon Ryan Fredericks according to a report by Claret and Hugh.

The news site, that specialises in West Ham information, shared that Fredericks' capture was set to be completed on Monday in order for him to be a Hammers player for next season.

While the 25-year-old right-back was good, it was his fellow defender Targett who really transformed the Cottagers' season upon arriving at the club on loan from the Saints in January.

The left-back barely suffered a defeat while wearing a Fulham jersey and was tremendous in his 18 outings for the club as he even managed to be involved with the scoring of three goals to help his temporary's side cause.

Ahead of Targett arriving at the club, the Cottagers were being forced to use their great attacking threat, Ryan Sessegnon as a left-back but once the defender arrived it transformed the London club's promotion bid for the better.

With the 22-year-old set to return to St Mary's as his loan deal has finished at Fulham, the Hammers should swoop in and secure him on a permanent basis before the Cottagers have a chance.

The Premier League new boys will no doubt try to secure the services of a player who changed their side for the better in the 2017/18 season and would be miserable if he also, just like Fredericks, ended up at the London Stadium.

Targett in his appearances proved that he was a step above his opponents in the Championship with his displays and would be able to perform in the Premier League on a weekly basis if given an opportunity.

With the Hammers' current options at left-back being Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, two players who flourish going forward while defensively vulnerable, Manuel Pellegrini could do with a more sturdy option like Targett.

The current Saints defender can offer an outlet going forward but his main talent is his reliability at the back and he always ensures he prioritises his defensive duties above all else.

Targett previously revealed in a Sky Sports interview that it was an "option" for him to join Fulham if they could agree a fee with the Saints for his services, but the Hammers could also do that.

Therefore Pellegrini's team should upset Fulham further by beating them to the punch by signing Targett ahead of them.



https://foreverwestham.com/2018/06/premier-league/west-ham-successfully-stolen-fredericks-must-secure-targett-as-well/

[WhiteJC]

 
Revealed: 87% of Newcastle fans back DeAndre Yedlin over reported move for Ryan Fredericks

Newcastle United fans don't appear keen on right-back Ryan Fredericks, despite being linked with a move for him earlier this week.

The Chronicle reported that the Magpies were looking closely at the Fulham right-back, with his contract at Craven Cottage set to expire this summer.

In the days since it has looked increasingly like he well end up joining West Ham United, as reported by The Independent on Friday.

Still, he could have been a viable option for Rafa Benitez, who is looking to add depth to his squad in an attempt in improve on this season's 10th placed finish in the English Premier League.

Newcastle fans would much prefer DeAndre Yedlin continue as first choice at St James' Park though, despite Fredericks' impressive season in the Championship.

A massive 87% of respondents to a poll we published earlier this week believe Yedlin is a better option on the right hand side of the Newcastle defence.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/newcastle-united/revealed-87-of-newcastle-fans-back-deandre-yedlin-over-reported-move-for-ryan-fredericks

[WhiteJC]

 
What Fulham, West Brom and Middlesbrough target has said about his future at Bristol City

Speculation is building that the Robins talisman could be sold this summer

The future of Aden Flint at Bristol City is up for discussion this summer amid a host of interest from Premier League and Championship clubs.

The 28-year-old only penned a contract extension at Bristol City in March but the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Middlesbrough are all possible suitors.

Brighton & Hove Albion saw a bid rejected in the January transfer window and could move again for the former Swindon Town defender.

Over the course of the 2017/18 season, Flint gave BristolLive interview where he discussed the club's performances and his future.

Flint missed the first few Bristol City games of the campaign due to interest from Birmingham City while his future was resolved.


Aden Flint of Bristol City

Birmingham City interest

"I tried not to let it disrupt me massively. But not knowing what was going on every time the phone rang was a bit stressful.

"The gaffer and I spoke to each other throughout the whole saga, which made it easier.

"I could have probably lost my head – I probably did a couple of times, getting frustrated in training or with myself.

"But I made sure I got my head down because it's not just me in training, it is the whole team.

"I didn't want to be disruptive as I have got a lot of respect for the boys and the staff."

But in November Flint was a lot more relaxed and calm about the situation having worked his way back into the team with hard work in training and good performances at the start to the season.

"Well, I'm just back playing football and enjoying football, you know. It was a stressful time in the summer not knowing what was going off," explained Flint.

"Given the league position, you'd probably say 'yes, you've dodged a bullet' or whatever, but who knows what can happen in football.

"Like I say, I've just been working hard, enjoying my football, made my way back into the team and hopefully I can keep that. Now it's just down to me to keep my own individual place and also help the team keep up the great performances as well."

So a very innocuous statement from Flint but he was also asked about his future further down the Championship road at the end of season and in response to the question, he simply replied with:

"Look, I'm a Bristol City player. I signed a new contract in January and whatever happens happens."

His end of season verdict

Once the 2017/18 season was over, Flint took to Instagram to thank fans for their support over the course of the year.

In a photo of the centre-back appearing to gee up the fans, the caption read "Been a season of ups and downs.. thanks for the support all year."

However, the defender also gave his thoughts on manager Lee Johnson's future when the gaffer had been linked with a move to West Brom.

"Obviously it shows he's doing something right being linked with a Premier League club - for now anyway - it looks like they're going to go down unless they make a great escape," said Flint.

"And he must be doing something right when you get recognised by a team like West Brom - massive club, they've been in the Premier League for what? 10 years?"

"It just goes to show you're progressing in the right way and doing all the right things.

"The gaffer's got his style and his own way of playing and he's implemented that on the team and I think we've done that pretty well to be fair," he also added.

Legendary praise

With the season looking to be one of City's best ever, with a place in the promotion places for most of the season and a Carabao Cup run, former Bristol City centre-back and captain Louis Carey gave his opinion on the current Robins side and in particular Aden Flint back in April.

"There's probably a little more overall individual quality in this team. But it's still a building process – if it happens this year then you can never say it's too early," said Carey.

"I think in a couple of years if they can keep the nucleus of this team together then they'll be a strong side."

"Flinty is probably someone that I would have enjoyed playing alongside because like Shaun Taylor and Jamie McCombe they were the big dominant players and I liked to read the game more.

"There's no getting away from it that is his main strength: his size and his power. But he's been great the last three or four years here.

"Take the goals and size away from him and he's surprised a lot of people with his performances for the last th



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/what-fulham-west-brom-middlesbrough-1632941

[WhiteJC]

 
Go for it Jokanovic – This 20-year-old midfield sensation could be a perfect addition for Fulham



According to reports, newly-promoted Premier League outfit Fulham are interested in signing Lamine Fomba from Auxerre.

The Cottagers secured promotion to the top-flight after they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday, thanks to a Tom Cairney goal.

Now that Fulham have achieved what they wanted to, manager Slavisa Jokanovic has a big job in hand to keep the Cottagers floating. To challenge the big boys, he will need to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Jokanovic has built a young and dynamic team at Fulham and is eyeing Lamine Fomba to beef up his midfield options. The 20-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with Auxerre and could make a move away from France if a tempting offer comes in.

After beginning the season on the fringes at Auxerre, Fomba became a regular for the French club towards the business end of the campaign. Although the 20-year-old made just six appearances, he managed to impress the bystanders by supplying two assists.



While Fomba did succeed in catching the attention of Fulham, Auxerre finished 11th in Ligue 2. Nothing went right for the French outfit in the second-tier and they will be keen to cash in on Fomba, who has just a year left on his contract.

Fulham have watched Fomba play a number of times and have been impressed by his displays. However, they are yet to make a concrete offer for the defensive midfielder.

Due to the Cottagers' impressive season in the Championship, they are bound to receive a lot of offers for players like Ryan Fredericks, Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney.

Now that the Whites are in the Premier League, they are in the driver's seat to keep hold of their prized assets, especially Sessegnon and Cairney, who have been the pillars of the club.

Apart from the meteoric rise of Sessegnon and the impressive displays of Fredericks, Cairney has managed to earn a lot of plaudits for his consistent and tenacious displays in the midfield.

It would be massive if the Cottagers succeed in securing Cairney's future at the club, as it would then allow Jokanovic to get a young central midfielder on board to boost the squad.

At such a young age, Fomba has played for Auxerre, which further gives us an idea that the midfielder is now ready to make the jump. He might just be 20 years old but has shown the maturity of a seasoned campaigner.

Fomba's impressive performances have alerted Fulham, who have a history of snapping up talented young players from France on the cheap.

The midfielder won't directly walk into Fulham's first-team as he lacks the experience of playing in the Premier League. His signing would mainly be to add cover for Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald.

So without further ado, the Cottagers must complete the signing of Fomba from Auxerre.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/06/03/go-for-it-jokanovic-this-20-year-old-midfield-sensation-could-be-a-perfect-addition-for-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

de la Torre makes international debut
by Dan on June 2, 2018

Fulham attacking midfielder Luca de la Torre made his international debut for the United States as a late substitute in America's 2-1 defeat by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin tonight.

The 20 year-old from San Diego was called up to a youthful squad for their summer friendlies by interim coach Dave Sarachan last week as the Americans begin their build up to the next World Cup, having narrowly missed on qualifying for this year's tournament in Russia. De la Torre, who has made eight senior appearances at Craven Cottage since being handed his senior debut by Slavisa Jokanovic last season, replaced Utrecht's Rubio Rubin with thirteen minutes left.

Ireland came from behind to win an entertaining friendly courtesy of a late winner from Alan Judge. Bobby Wood had put the visitors ahead at the Aviva Stadium before George Burke equalised for Martin O'Neill's men. De la Torre could be line for a second game against France next weekend.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/06/de-la-torre-makes-international-debut/

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester United plot £50million transfer offer for Ryan Sessegnon


Ryan Sessegnon was superb for Fulham last season (Picture: PA)

Manchester United are ready to test Fulham's resolve to keep hold of Ryan Sessegnon, reports say.

The teenager inspired Fulham to promotion last season and is preparing to play in the Premier League for the first time in his pro career.

Sessegnon is being tracked by Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, but the Sun claim United are now frontrunners.

United will make a £50million offer for Sessegnon's services, despite Fulham insisting again and again the burgeoning talent is going nowhere.

Fulham secured promotion through the play-offs and Sessegnon was on hand to set up the goal that send the Cottagers into the top flight.

The 18-year-old played at left-back, left winger and left midfield in the 2017/18 season.


Fulham won promotion into the Premier League last month (Picture: PA)

Sessegnon ended the season bossing the left side of Fulham's attack and bagged 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including a strike against Derby in the play-off semi-finals.

United's approach will surely spark other big clubs into action, but Jose Mourinho is desperate to add full-backs to his squad this summer.


Fulham are refusing to sell their prized asset (Picture: Getty)


(Picture: Reuters)

Mourinho has been relying on attackers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young at full-back during his tenure and wants to replace both players in defence.

It is unclear if United see Sessegnon as a defender or attacker, but a move to scoop up one of the most promising teenagers in England is imminent.



https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/02/manchester-united-plot-50million-transfer-offer-for-ryan-sessegnon-7600648/

[WhiteJC]

A Special Day
by Lydia on June 2, 2018

"Dad, what team do you support?"

"Fulham."

"OK, I'll support them too then."

This was the simple conversation that I had with my dad when I was about 7 years old or so that condemned my life to one as a Fulham fan. To be fair, I didn't really have a clue what was going on for the first part of my time following the Whites, and I was too young to remember anything before Fulham being in the Premier League. I was only 4 years old when Rodney McAree scored up at Carlisle, and when we got promoted to the top tier in 2000-01, I hadn't turned 9 yet.

My earliest memory of Fulham was probably a few years into our time in the top flight when Chris Coleman was the man in charge. I also vividly remember getting a load of stick from the United fans in my class about Louis Saha moving to them in January of 2004. I was genuinely heart broken. My first Fulham game wasn't until I was 11. Being from Belfast, it was feasibly impossible for me to go to games all the time, but as a treat at the end of primary school my dad took me across to London for to watch Fulham at Loftus Road against Leeds United. We won 2-0 thanks to goals from Sean Davis and Luis Boa Morte and I loved every minute of it. That trip was a trip of firsts- my first flight, first trip to London and my first time watching the team that I had grown to love from afar. It was a special day.

Because of my age, I guess you could say that I didn't really start supporting Fulham properly until the 21st Century. Fans like me haven't seen the dark days when Fulham barely stayed in the League. Although I was alive in 1995/96, I had barely started to talk so I missed the days when we recorded our lowest ever finish in the football league pyramid. I recognise that I am quite privileged as a fan to have gotten to appreciate the Great Escape in 2008 and then the Europa League run in 2010. Relegation hurt a lot, and the two seasons that followed were very uninspiring, but I guess fans of my age can't really complain.

Why do I write this?

Last week at Wembley was the best day of my life, but it wasn't until then that the realisation of just how big getting to see your team win at Wembley really was hit me. To stand alongside people who have followed this club for a long time was really quite humbling. Those people who had watched this club go through so much including the days of nearly dropping out of the league pyramid and those more recently who fought tooth and nail for Fulham to stay at Craven Cottage, those people are heroes. I was in tears at the final whistle as I was just completely overwhelmed by what I had just witnessed, and to be there with my Dad and others who have followed this club for a lot longer than my lifetime, to see those fans finally realise the dream of winning at Wembley made it another very special day.

#COYW



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/06/a-special-day/

[WhiteJC]

 
'They are captains': Ex-Blackburn boss Steve Kean backs Steven Gerrard to replicate Chris Coleman's success at Fulham and inspire a Rangers revival

    Steve Kean has spoken of Chris Coleman's ability to inspire a group of players
    Kean assisted Coleman when he made his managerial bow at Fulham
    The ex-Blackburn boss claims Steven Gerrard has the same qualities as Coleman
    Kean believes the Rangers players will take to Gerrard's leadership qualities

Steve Kean expects Steven Gerrard to lean heavily on his leadership qualities to inspire Rangers, just as Chris Coleman did successfully in his managerial bow.

Kean was assistant to Coleman when the Welshman belied a lack of experience at 33 to save Fulham from relegation then march them into the Premier League's top half in his first full season as a boss.

The Scot will never forget watching Coleman's ability to lift players individually, and as a group, with his sheer presence and gift for speaking to a dressing room.

The man who led Wales to the last four of Euro 2016 was thrust unexpectedly into management when Jean Tigana was sacked at Craven Cottage in April 2003.

Coleman, whose career was cruelly cut short by leg injuries suffered in a car crash a year earlier, boosted Fulham well clear of safety gaining 10 points out of 15 then finished ninth the following year.

Kean, who went on to assist Coleman at Real Sociedad and Coventry, can identify similarities with how Gerrard will command instant respect and raise levels of underachieving Rangers players.


Kean compared Gerrard to Chris Coleman (right) who he assisted at Fulham and Real Sociedad

Kean said: 'Even though they possibly have less experience than other candidates when going into the job, I think they are captains.

'In Chris's situation, he'd just started out coaching. I know Steven has more coaching because he's done a bit in the Liverpool academy.

'But I always used to just think: 'Go and inspire and speak like a captain'. Chris was just brilliant at speaking when he was playing.

'He'd go in at half-time and say how it was. So when we were there as a management team I said: 'I'll bounce off you, you go and speak. I'll pick out another couple of points'.

'Initially, I'd put on the training sessions and Chris would lead the club as a captain. Maybe that's why Steven has brought in Gary McAllister.

Gary has been a manager and that experience will possibly free Steven up to go on and really motivate and inspire. And take that part of the job, which is massive.

'I've seen players in that situation raise their game just by being addressed by that type of man.' Ex-Blackburn boss Kean was in charge of the reserves at Fulham as the first team flirted with relegation under French legend Tigana who, in contrast to Coleman, cut an often withdrawn figure.

That left a void of vocal presence to lead the dressing room - something which Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller might have believed they were stepping in to salvage last month at Hampden for Rangers.

'It was great initially with Jean, a wonderful player who used to inspire simply by taking part and being the best in training, all the small-sided games,' explained Kean. 'But he wasn't really a talker.

'We had a very quiet dressing room. The first year, it was Chris as the captain who'd speak at half-time. Jean wouldn't say anything.

'But I'd imagine from Steven Gerrard's point of view, he would inspire just from the level he's played at and from speaking as a captain who'd say exactly how it was inside the dressing room.

'I wouldn't imagine there would be anything disguised or brushed under the carpet. The boys will relate to that. Because sometimes too often there are things that should be said but aren't said.' During the Ibrox impasse of a manager hunt, Graeme Murty was the man left with the unenviable task of running the Rangers team following his elevation from the Under-20s squad.

Kean is well-versed in how poor management by club hierarchy can result in a shock promotion. In December 2010, he was that figure following the sacking of Sam Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers.

The frequently absent owners, Venky's Group, then left Kean in the firing line of a sustained campaign of fans' anger for 21 months of a reign which saw Rovers drop to the Championship.

In Murty's case, it was his task to hold the fort after Rangers had pursued Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and during the wooing of Gerrard - all before being rewarded with the sack ahead of the season's end.

'I did feel for him,' said Kean of Murty's treatment. 'It was similar to what happened when I got it on a temporary basis initially. You get (the job) it for one game, then it's two, then it's until the end of the season.

'You just need to try and keep the dressing room right and try to get the boys into a shape where they are working to win games.

'There was no real public figure within the club, so I was answering questions that weren't really football questions.

'Why were we selling players? How much do we have to pay the bank back? Do we have to pay the overdraft back by selling players. And is that going to be detrimental to us staying in the league?

'Those decisions are made above. But they don't have press conferences. So, it's you who's in. And you've got everyone on a Friday asking about that - and nothing related to the game the next day.

'In Graeme's case, it was all about who will the next manager be. Each time there's a good result he's put himself in with a better shout. Each time there's a bad result it was: So, is this your last game? It's hard.' Kean's next post in football after being hounded out of the Ewood Park turbulence was the serene environment of working for the Sultan of Brunei's club DPMM for four years in the Singapore league.

Murty is unlikely to stumble across similar fortune for his new gig but Kean does anticipate him putting his harsh learning curve to good use - and not return to development football.

'Graeme has probably got the taste now for first team,' he stressed. 'When you've been promoted from the youth department as such and you're right in with the first team guys, to go back to the academy is difficult. If he was assistant manager and had already been working with the players, you can probably go into an assistant's role.

'But I thought there was a level of success there for a spell and it must make him think: 'I can bring something to a first-team group'.

'You still get a buzz when the whistle blows for each game whatever position you are in but when you are the lead guy it really is everything.'




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5799523/Steve-Kean-backs-Steven-Gerrard-replicate-Chris-Coleman-succeed-Rangers.html#ixzz5HL3FRzF6
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook