WENGER SNUBBED FULHAM
Cottagers go to Ranieri after Arsene snub
ARSENE WENGER turned down a sensational return to management with Fulham before Claudio Ranieri was appointed yesterday.
The Premier League strugglers finally axed Slavisa Jokanovic after the Serb lost the confidence of the Craven Cottage board.
Following defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield, Fulham sounded out ex-Arsenal boss Wenger with the promise of substantial funds to further strengthen the side in January.
But the 69-year-old stuck to his insistence that he will not take another top-flight job in England out of respect to his former London club.
Fulham instead turned to title-winning Italian Ranieri to replace Jokanovic and the 67-year-old is set to get a huge January war chest to strengthen the ailing squad.
Ranieri’s appointment was announced just an hour after Jokanovic was informed on Tuesday morning.
The new Cottagers gaffer, who oversaw Leicester’s 5000-1 Premier League title miracle in 2016, said: “The objective at Fulham should never be to just survive in the Premier League.
“We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position.
“I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage.”
Owner Shahid Khan admitted to holding talks with Ranieri behind his former manager’s back.
He said: “Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option, so having someone of Claudio’s calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but most of all essential.”
Fulham, who went on a £100million spending spree after winning promotion in the summer, want to sign another two defenders. They are also hunting more firepower up front after managing just 11 Premier League goals in their 12 games so far this season.
Fulham had been ready to give such backing to Wenger in the hope that his capture would have attracted quality players.
Owner Khan and son Tony are close to Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke through NFL circles but Wenger is waiting for a big European job.
He insists he will return to work in January but is surprised he has yet to receive an offer.
Wenger has turned down interest from China as he wants to be a day-to-day boss in Europe rather than a director of football.