Parker takes over at Fulham after Ranieri shown the door

Parker takes over at Fulham after Ranieri shown the door
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Crystal Palace - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 11, 2018 Fulham first team coach Scott Parker during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh Copyright Eddie Keogh(Reuters)
By Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

LONDON (Reuters) - Relegation-threatened Fulham sacked Claudio Ranieri as manager on Thursday and appointed Scott Parker as his caretaker replacement.

Ranieri, who guided Leicester City to an extraordinary 2016 Premier League title, was appointed in November after the dismissal of Slavisa Jokanovic but failed to work another miracle and lasted only 16 league games, winning three.

"I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment," said the 67-year-old.

"I would like to thank the Club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me during my time at the Club."

The Italian's departure came as no surprise, with Fulham 19th in the table and 10 points adrift of 17th placed Southampton in the final safety spot with only 10 games remaining.

Ranieri had recognised his future at the West London side was uncertain after Wednesday's stinging 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

"Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone," chairman Shahid Khan said in a statement on the Fulham website.

Khan said the Italian had been "a perfect gentleman, as always," but it had not worked out and he left Craven Cottage as a friend.

"Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today," added the chairman.

Khan acknowledged Ranieri had inherited a difficult situation, taking over with Fulham bottom of the league after just one win.

"He provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort."

Parker's brief was to "stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club," said Khan.

"If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead.

"What’s most important at this moment, however, is to regroup in a smart and deliberate manner that will serve our long-term vision for sustainable success."

Former England midfielder Parker's first game in charge will be against local rivals Chelsea, another of his and Ranieri's former clubs, on Sunday.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ed Osmond and Toby Davis)

Share this articleComments

You might also like

UEFA Champions League draw: Real Madrid face Chelsea in quarter-finals

Want to find out which city is best for running? Here’s the world’s top 10 cities

England's stunning 8-0 win over Norway in women's European Championship