Friday Fulham Stuff - 07/06/19...

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Could Markovic revive his career at Newcastle United?

Lazar Markovic was once a rising star before fading after a big money move to Liverpool. Now a free agent, could he find new life with Newcastle United?

Every year in the summer transfer window, there are promising prospects from outside of the Premier League that all the English clubs are vying for. In the summer of 2014, Lazar Markovic was that rising star. At 20 years old, he was coming off a breakout season with Benfica and secured a big money move to Liverpool. Unfortunately, his resume with the Reds was highlighted by three goals, one assist, and a four-match European competition ban for violent conduct in a Champions League match.

From 2015-2019, he spent his time on loan with Fenerbahce, Sporting CP, Hull City, and Anderlecht. In January of this year, he moved to Fulham on a free move for the remainder of the Premier League campaign. He only featured once for the Lilywhites. Now, he's out of contract and could find a second life with Newcastle United.

Markovic can play on the wing, as an attacking midfielder, or as a false 9. He has good pace and is shifty and skilled on the ball. A 20+ cap and three-goal man for the Serbian national team, Lazar has the pedigree and could be revitalized with the right opportunity.

Newcastle United could add him on a free move and his value would not be too high to demand substantial wages. He could find a spot in the rotation as a utility player in the attack. There was a reason he was such a highly regarded prospect and it would be a great story and success if the club gets his career back on track.



https://newcastletoons.com/2019/06/06/markovic-revive-career-newcastle-united/

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Should Leeds United gamble on 'unhappy' Fulham goalkeeper Fabri?

The Spanish goalkeeper was being linked with a move to Leeds in January.

Leeds United might be looking for a new keeper this summer. Kiko Casilla's move from Real Madrid has not worked out and Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay confirmed on his Twitter feed last night that Leeds would replace the 32-year-old if he left this summer. He also mentioned two names that Leeds were previously keen on.

Fabri's name popped up in January but the links always seemed quite tenuous. Now Hay has confirmed there was interest in the Spaniard.

Fabri joined Fulham from Besiktas in a deal worth around £5 million last summer, according to BBC Sport. The 31-year-old started the first two games of the Premier League season but soon lost his place to Marcus Bettinelli and Sergio Rico.

As told by Everton striker and Fabri's former team-mate Cenk Tosun to TRT Spor last week, the Spaniard is clearly miserable at Craven Cottage.

"I spoke to Fabri, 'it was the biggest mistake that I came here. I wish I had stayed in Besiktas' he said...He played 2-3 matches, and then didn't even make the squad. He's unhappy."

So should Leeds revitalise their interest?

Fabri has failed to make an impact at Fulham but fans at former club Besiktas would take him back in a heartbeat.

He is clearly a top goalkeeper with bags of talent but, as with Casilla, there would be concerns about his adaptability to English football. Clearly those in charge at Fulham this season have felt he failed in this regard.

So it would be a gamble but it certainly seems an option if Leeds do lose Casilla this summer.



https://tbrfootball.com/should-leeds-united-gamble-on-unhappy-fulham-goalkeeper-fabri/

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Former Fulham, West Ham and Blackburn defender heralds 'new era' at Walton Casuals

Steve Conroy is the new boss of Walton Casuals and chairman Tony Gale is delighted to recruit the ex-Kings Langley boss


Walton Casuals win promotion to Step 3 in 2018 (Image: Darren Pepe)

Walton Casuals chairman Tony Gale spoke of a "new era" at Southern League Premier South side
Walton Casuals following the appointment of ex-Kings Langley boss Steve Conroy.

The former Fulham, West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers defender is delighted to get Conroy on board having "sifted through more than 40 applicants" with fellow director Duncan Saunders and club sponsor Steve Haughney, who helped conduct interviews.

Gale spoke of son Anthony – who resigned after the club's Southern Combination Cup final success against Sutton Common Rovers on May 5 – and the excellent job he did in a four-year spell at the club but said it was a time for change.

"The time was right for Anthony to go but he did a fantastic job for us, starting with what I would call the dark years when we were ground-sharing with Merstham and then Whyteleafe ," said Gale. "When we came to the [Walton] hub, in our first season he won us promotion via the play-offs and in the second he kept us up on 51 points, which would normally be good enough for a mid-table slot.

"He was the best manager we've had at this club by a million miles.

"Anthony told me he needed a change and while I was disappointed I respected that.

"Sifting through the applicants was painstaking but Steve and his assistant Chris Winton really impressed me. They were the most understated of the people we interviewed.

"Both have UEFA A licences and they want to do things in the correct manner.

"They only just missed out on the play-offs in our league, ironically, because we beat them with two games to go.

"They are very excited about taking on the job and they can't believe the quality of the facilities we have."

Attracting the right calibre of player will be the next job, with some bound to leave, following the likes of Harry Mills, Alex Kelly, Cole Brown and Tommy Brewer out of the door, all having left for various reasons.

Gale is unconcerned. "It happens in non-league football," he said. "The players aren't on contracts so some will leave. But players are the least of our worries, there will always be players. Steve and Chris believe this is a great opportunity for them and they see the facilities we have as a big plus and a selling point. They want to get involved and it's exciting for us and for them."

Kings Langley said of Conroy's departure on their website, as part of a statement: "It is with regret that Kings Langley FC announce that Steve Conroy has vacated the post of first team manager.

"The club rigorously pursues a policy of self-sustainability with regards to its income and expenditure and after long discussions at more than one meeting, the directors were unable to agree that the club's financial resources could support an enhanced playing budget as requested by the first team manager."

At Casuals, Conroy may be required to tap in to the club's excellent academy set-up which had 26 members last season, with Gale predicting "60 to 70" this year.

The aim will be to consolidate in a fiercely competitive division, and build on what Gale junior achieved, including survival at Step 3 on a dramatic last day of the campaign at Merthyr.



https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-west-ham-blackburn-16386826

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The key dates for Charlton, Fulham, QPR and other EFL clubs ahead of the 2019/20 season

All the information you need to know about the key dates next season in the EFL, Carabao Cup and FA Cup

The season may only just have finished in the English Football League after the excitement of the play-offs and victories for Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic and Tranmere Rovers at Wembley.

But already attention has turned to the 2019-20 season, with anticipation rising, ahead of what is set to be another dramatic campaign.

And with the fixtures for the new season set to be released later this month, it won't be long until the players are back in pre-season ahead of the campaign, which begins in August.

Here are all the key dates you need to know ahead of the new campaign for clubs outside of the Premier League, including the likes of Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield Town, who were relegated from the top flight.

EFL

The 72 clubs in the three divisions of the EFL will be able to map out their seasons on Thursday June 20 when the fixtures for the 2019-20 season are released at 9am. This is one week after the release of fixtures for the clubs in the Premier League, on Thursday, June 13 .

The new EFL season begins on the weekend of Saturday, August 3, with a live game likely to kick off the new season on Friday, August 2 .

The play-offs


A trophy stands outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final 2018. (Image: Aston Villa/Aston Villa via Getty Images)

The play-offs will be played across two weekends in May due to Wembley's commitments to the 2020 European Championships.

The League Two final will take place on Saturday May 16, 2020 , with the League One play-off final taking place on Sunday May 24 and the Championship play-off final on Monday May 25 .

The FA Cup

The world's oldest football cup competition will start in August, with the extra preliminary round, with teams from non-league competing in several qualifying rounds to try and reach the first round proper, when Football League teams from League Two and League One join the fray.

The round dates have not yet been confirmed by the FA, but the first round proper is likely to take place in early November.

Championship and Premier League sides enter the competition at the third round stage, which will take place in early January, with the final at Wembley in May 2020.

The Carabao Cup


The Carabao Cup (Image: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)

The Carabao Cup will begin in August, with the first round set to take place in the week commencing August 12.

The final will take place at Wembley on Sunday March 1, 2020 .

The EFL Trophy

The EFL Trophy will begin in the week commencing September 2 , and the final is set to take place at Wembley on Sunday April 5, 2020 .



https://www.football.london/championship/key-dates-efl-clubs-season-16387270

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Former Derby County, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday striker hoping to fire England Seniors to World Cup glory in Thailand

Four Robins connections in squad


The England Seniors squad in Thailand

England face New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the Seniors World Cup on Thursday.

The former Cheltenham Town players involved are Barry Hayles, Alex Russell and Chris Freestone, along with Robins chairman Andy Wilcox.


Andy Wilcox (centre)

The Three Lions have so far beaten Taiwan 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Hayles and one from Freestone, who enjoyed a loan spell at Cheltenham in 2000.

The emphatic opening win was followed up by a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong, with ex-Derby County front man Deon Burton on target.

Four points from two group games was enough to secure a last eight place against New Zealand, who have so far faced hosts Thailand and Iran in the tournament.

After two games in as many days, England had a much-needed rest day on Wednesday.


England Seniors ahead of their second match in Thailand

They took time out to meet the children of Wat Chaimongkol School.

The kids were put through their paces and given a crash course in singing football songs in preparation for the quarter-final showdown.



https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-leicester-city-fulham-plymouth-2947737

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VAR, iFollow, Villa, Derby and FFP breaches: What will be discussed at the EFL summer conference

All fans of Brentford, Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers and London's other EFL clubs need to know about the English Football League summer conference in Portugal

London will have seven teams in the English Football League for the 2019/20 season, from the Championship to League Two.

The EFL season may have drawn to a close on the pitch with three dramatic play-off finals at Wembley last month but there is expected to be plenty on the agenda when the clubs gather at the league's yearly Annual General Meeting this week.

Newly-promoted Norwich City, Sheffield United and Aston Villa will be present to say their goodbyes as they prepare for life in the Premier League next season, while Leyton Orient and Salford City will also be represented as they are welcomed into the league following their promotion from the Vanarama National League.

Plenty is expected to come out from the meeting over the coming days, and below is everything fans needs to know about the gathering.

Where and when is the EFL meeting?

The EFL Summer Conference will take place in Portugal over the next two days.

The event will start on Thursday, June 6, and conclude on Friday, June 7.

Who will attend the EFL AGM?

All the EFL's board of directors will be attendance, while clubs are expected to be represented by a range of executives.

Club delegations often include their owner, chief executive, fellow members of the board, or members from the club's football administration team.

What is on the agenda?

The agenda is expected to be packed this season, with a wide range of issues expected to be debated.

One of the first things expected to be debated is the iFollow streaming site.



Brought in to help grow the online audience of the league, the streaming system has caused much debate in the footballing world.

London clubs, including Brentford and Millwall, had success with the scheme last season keeping fans up to date on matches they coud not physically attend.

Charlton Athletic and QPR were two teams that did not take part as they were not included in the EFL's digital platform.


Fans arrive at the Valley ahead of kick off. (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

They were in a list of 13 clubs that stayed outside of the iFollow programme including Accrington Stanley, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Derby County, Hull City, Forest Green Rovers, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Swansea City and Sunderland.

A key concern to be debated at the EFL AGM is the issue around the streaming of 3pm Saturday games.

Many clubs seem satisfied with the showing of midweek fixtures, but oppose the showing of Saturday games, especially during international breaks.

Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa and 'Spygate' rules

Clubs are also set to approve new rules preventing a repeat of the 'Spygate' saga which embroiled Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa.

Members of the league are set to vote on plans to introduce a regulation restricting clubs from observing opposition training sessions in the wake of the controversy which landed Leeds a £200,000 fine in February

Aston Villa, QPR and Financial Fair Play in the EFL

Aston Villa's are also set to be on the agenda as questions marks remain over them potentially breaching  profit and sustainability rules.

But with the club having secured Premier League football for next season, it remains to be seen what action the EFL can now take if the club are found guilty.

Deliberations over Villa and any breaches in FFP will be of interest to QPR given their own battles regarding finances in the Championship after Premier League promotion.

Middlesbrough legal letter to Derby County

Finally fans will also be watching to see anything comes from Middlesbrough reportedly having issued a legal letter to Derby County.

The Smoggies are understood to believe that the Rams broke rules when owner Mel Morris essentially bought Pride Park stadium with another company that he also owns for what.

At a price of £80million it is claimed that the ground was sold for double the value listed in the club's books as an asset.

It meant Derby were able to report a pre-tax profit of £14.6million.

The EFL may conclude that the stadium purchase has been completed within the rules but Boro owner and chairman Steve Gibson has made no secret of the fact that he has a different view.

One thing is for certain though, and that is that it is set to be an actioned packed couple of days on the Algarve.

Will VAR be used in the Championship next season?

Video Assisted Referees are set to arrive in the Premier League for the 2019/20 season however there are no plans for VAR to be brought into any of the EFL divisions.

There was controversy over its use in the Carabao Cup as Chelsea eventually took on Manchester City in the final at Wembley Stadium.

VAR was used for the final but not in the other rounds of the competition, even at stadiums set up to use the technology.

It was a similar story for the English FA and their competition, the FA Cup, with clubs such as Millwall benefitting as VAR was left unused in the later rounds as they beat Everton at The Den.



https://www.football.london/championship/var-ifollow-villa-derby-ffp-16389082

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Report: Fulham will accept big loss on Jean-Michel Seri with exit 'close'

Jean-Michel Seri could reportedly return to France with Lyon or Monaco after a dismal Premier League season at Fulham.

Jean-Michel Seri looks set to return to France with Lyon or Monaco this summer, as Le10 Sport claims that Fulham are willing to accept a cut-price fee for the Ivorian international.

Plenty of eyebrows were raised on both sides of The Channel when Seri, who had come so close to joining Barcelona in the summer of 2017, was unveiled by Premier League newcomers Fulham in July of last year.

One of the most highly-rated central midfielders in Europe, the Cottagers paid a club record £25 million for the Nice talisman.

But it is fair to say Seri didn't live up to his price-tag or those lofty expectations during a miserable season at Craven Cottage. A player who shone in France looked lightweight and disinterested in London, making just 27 starts as Fulham were relegated from the top flight in humiliating fashion.

And it seems only a matter of time before Seri's time in the English capital comes to an end. Le10 Sport points out that he has no interest in playing Championship football for Fulham, who could be willing to accept as little as £13 million.

The report adds that a return to France is 'close' with Lyon and Monaco emerging as potential destinations.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/06/06/do-report-fulham-will-accept-big-loss-on-jean-michel-seri-with-e/

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A Checklist for Scott

SScott Parker is about to start what could be his biggest footballing challenge to date; making Fulham look like a football team again. There is a huge difference between being a caretaker manager, when the pressure is arguably off you, and being appointed the boss for the long haul. When he took over after Claudio Ranieri's sacking, Fulham were so far away from safety that most of us had already accepted relegation. Parker was never going to go through the same scrutiny that Jokanovic or Ranieri got because he was taking over an already sinking ship. His job was essentially to make us sink slightly slower!

But things are completely different now. Being giving the job on a full-time basis will bring with it all the criticisms and condemnations that come with full time management and very decision made will go under the microscope by fans and journalists alike. I'm sure Parker is relishing the challenge and, being a very studious person, I reckon he naturally ticks many of the boxes needed to be a good manager. But like most jobs, you often need more than what you have on paper to be fully successful.

So what does Parker need to be successful in the Championship, one of the world toughest leagues? Here is a small list. Scott, feel free to take notes.

Know your team- I don't think any of us want to be reminded of the ill-fated Felix Magath era of Fulham Football Club, but when we want to know how to be successful, you often have to look at what was unsuccessful and learn from it. There's no point beating around the bush, Magath was a disaster at Fulham. One of his biggest downfalls was the fact that he clearly didn't know his players and what their abilities were. Playing Dan Burn at right-back is a prime example, but then even after he had a full preseason with his team ahead of our first Championship season after being relegated, he played the most bizarre line-ups game after game. It was like he was drawing his teams out of a hat in the dressing room before kick-off. The players clearly had no idea what he expected from them and it resulted in us not tasting victory that season in the league until eight games in.


Felix Bingo v Forest- Six defenders and two defensive midfielders and 5 goals conceded


We lost the game previously 3-0 to Reading with a very different line up

More recently we have seen Slavisa Jokanovic making the mistake of not knowing his team and his constant chopping and changing our defence last season resulted in chaos at the back. It's so important that Parker doesn't make the same mistakes as some of his predecessors. Constantly making changes to his line-up and formation is a recipe for disaster. This isn't to say that changes can't be made but it's crucial that Parker knows his team inside out. Knowledge is key.

Make decisions with conviction- No matter what you do in life, it's really important that any decision made is done with conviction. Even if you're not completely sure it's the right move, do whatever it is with confidence. With Jokanovic you could nearly tell at the start of last season that he wasn't really sure about the decisions he was making at the back. This approach will have been easily picked up by the players, so I can understand why there was so much confusion in the side. Players need their manager to be a leader, and to be a leader you need to have the self-belief to make any team decisions with confidence.

Mistakes will be made. Learn from them – No campaign is flawless. While no one likes losing, it's important that when things go wrong Parker doesn't let the head drop and start making rash decisions out of desperation. We have to learn from our mistakes in order to be successful. Whether it's taking a player off who you realise you shouldn't have started a match with, or making a more radical change over time, it's crucial that Parker can identify mistakes and can correct them. I'll be honest and say that some of Parker's tactical decisions, or in some cases the lack of them, has worried me. The game we lost up at Watford that saw our relegation confirmed was a prime example. We started well that night and where still in the game at the break, but Javi Garcia out-managed and out-thought him in the second half. Parker didn't seem to have answers for the changes that Garcia made and in the end we limped across the relegation line. Parker will need to have more than just Plan A for every game so that he isn't caught out like that.

I wrote in a previous article that I believe that Parker has the  heart for the job, but that we will have to wait and see if he has the head for it. I believe that he has already done a heck of a lot of the ground work already by getting the players onside and giving them confidence again. He is putting together a solid foundation and hopefully can build a strong team upon it. It's now less than two months to go before the season kicks off again, so eight weeks of preparation.

Bring it on.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/06/a-checklist-for-scott/

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Ryan Sessegnon: After a difficult season in the Premier League, what next for Fulham's teenage sensation?
The youngster may demand top flight football next season with the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs all touted as possible destinations


Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham at Craven Cottage on 27 October 2018 (Getty Images)

Ryan Sessegnon, as you have been repeatedly told by Premier League commentators throughout last season, is still a teenager.

Having turned 19 in May, the Fulham youngster who tore up the left wing in the Championship had an uneasy first season in the top flight.

There is little doubt that Sessegnon has the raw talent to succeed at the higher level, given another season to grow – but the London side were relegated to the Championship with the worst defence in the league. As a result, Sessegnon's future at Craven Cottage is now in doubt.

While Fulham would much rather Sessegnon spend another year with them developing in the Championship, the player may feel he should seek an immediate return to the top level. And there are certainly a few clubs reported to be interested in obliging with those wishes.

What Sessegnon offers
Sessegnon's precocious ability led to a Championship debut at the age of 16 years old. His raw pace and technical ability enabled him to contribute in attacks from left-back at that tender age, while he was strong and positionally aware enough to hold up a wing defensively.

Since then, he has played 120 senior matches for the club. In his second season his attacking instincts bloomed as he dribbled through defences and showed a keen ability to find defenders' blind spots in the penalty area. His finishing was composed and he flourished in the second tier.


(i/Datawrapper)

However, in the Premier League he faltered. The pace of the game was quicker and he found himself closed down more, with defenders more switched on to the threat of his back post runs.

Given the dire inconsistency of the Fulham tactical setup, due in part to the disparate influences of three different managerial regimes in a single season, the team was off it's rhythm and so was Sessegnon, forced to play in a variety of positions: as a left full-back, a left wing-back and a left wing-forward.

However, there is a certain value to any player that has notched over 100 appearances and over 20 goals before his 20th birthday. The potential to develop his talent is high, and England continue to value his future as shown by his repeated inclusion in their youth setups. Big clubs could still yet unearth a potent weapon at either left-back or left-wing.

Is he available?


Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham is challenged by Demarai Gray of Leicester City on 9 March 2019 (Getty Images)

Fulham would like to say no, but that is not the full truth. The owners have poured money into the club and the fact they spent over £100m in their first window after promotion was well-publicised. As a result, the club has been run at a large loss, and that is before you consider the developments to the Riverside stand at Craven Cottage this summer.

While there are players the club may rather sell than Sessegnon, there are few who attract the same suitors with deep pockets. Both Manchester United and Tottenham have long been interested and could well make a move happen this summer. The figure last year was around £50m – in light of his slight setback in form, you may expect £10-20m to fall off that number – but it is not unreasonable to suggest that Fulham could turn down a smaller bid.

Is a move likely?

Although it may pain Fulham fans, yes. Sessegnon's contract expires in 2020 and he hasn't signed a new deal, perhaps based on a compromise made last summer that the club would sell him for a large fee this window, in return for one season in the top flight.

In terms of destination, he was a Liverpool fan growing up, so the Reds have an advantage if they were to bid – but he has also indicated a preference to move to Spurs as it would enable him to remain in London.

A double deal involving his twin brother Steven, who has impressed at England age group levels but has not developed quite as quickly as Ryan, has also been suggested as a possibility.



https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ryan-sessegnon-fulham-tottenham-hostpur-manchester-united-liverpool-transfer-news-rumour-latest/

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Fulham player could be set for exit as club eye move

Fulham's Jean Michael Seri could be heading back to France to join Lyon, reports French outlet le10sport.

The midfielder arrived to Craven Cottage with a lot of promise last summer and for a hefty price tag, but after a disappointing season for Fulham which saw them relegated, he could be on his way out.

The Cottagers may struggle to recoup the £25 million fee they paid for Seri, with le10sport suggesting he could be a Lyon player for just £15-20m.

However, he struggled last season, scoring just one goal and making two assists in 33 appearances for Fulham last season.

The club may be keen to offload some of their underperforming players, and the money they receive for Seri would allow them to invest in other areas of the squad.

The defence particularly was an area of weakness last year with 81 goals conceded.

Le10sport also report that Monaco are interested in the 27-year-old, and although Fulham are yet to receive a bid, it seems unlikely that he will be playing Championship football next season.

The Verdict

Seri showed signs of potential early on in his Fulham career.

A superb goal against Burnley in August showed what he is capable of, but that proved to be his only goal as both his and Fulham's performances tailed off.

There is a good player in there but we might not see the best he has to offer in England, as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the game.

Fulham should sell him even if it comes at a loss. They need players suited to English football, preferably a player with Championship experience. They already have that in Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald, and the money they receive for Seri could be re-invested elsewhere.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-player-could-be-set-for-exit-as-club-eye-move/

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20 Years On: Part Five

In slightly Fulhamish style, the next match after securing promotion was a 1-0 loss at mid-table Chesterfield. That meant the title celebrations were on hold, but not for long. It was another game under the Cottage lights when Millwall made the jaunt across South London, and the Lions were subsequently ripped apart by a ruthless Fulham team keen to secure the Division Two trophy with four matches still to play. 4-1 the final score, and it was party time on the banks of the Thames once again. "To win the championship in such style is a genuinely memorable feat and a credit to the players," Keegan said. "No one would complain about promotion alone, but the great thing about winning the division, and winning it in such style, is that you will be remembered for it because it means something special. Fulham supporters have had to wait so long for a taste of success – the last 20 years or so have been a rocky ride. But now that success has arrived I hope it feels all the more special because of the wait involved."

It was just as well really, as the Whites then embarked on a rare dip in form, taking just two points from our next three outings against Wrexham, Burnley and Walsall. The season would end in style, though, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Play-Off contending Preston. A warming sub-plot also saw Paul Moody become the first Fulham substitute to ever score a hat-trick when he netted three times in 14 second half minutes. The bruising striker had been our top scorer the year before, but endured a frustrating 1998/99 campaign after breaking his leg four minutes into our early season win over Stoke. Despite the physio initially asking if he could "run it off", Moody ended up being out of action for eight months.

Fulham were the victims of our own success in that we lost Keegan to the England job full-time, with our manager doing a U-turn and deciding "you can't do the two jobs. If you do, you jeopardise both parties." But after leading the Whites to within a division of the Premier League promised land, accruing 101 points along the way, Keegan left with his boss' blessing. "England is more important than Fulham or me," Mohamed Al Fayed said. "The glory of England is my glory and the glory of Fulham."

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/june/07/20-years-on-part-five