Ranieri replaces Jokanovic at Fulham

FORMER Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has been appointed Fulham manager, replaced Slavisa Jokanovic

Cardiff City’s relegation rivals have been struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table, winning just once from 12 games. The Cottagers came up via the Championship play-offs last season, alongside Cardiff and Wolves, but haven’t hit the ground running despite spending in excess of £100million.

They have brought in the likes of Andre Schurrle, Aleksandr Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson but after winning their second game of the season, have gone on a damaging run of defeats.

That included a 4-2 reverse to the Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium last month.

And after mounting pressure, Fulham owner Shahid Khan has replaced Jokanovic with Premier League winner Ranieri.

“It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan’s invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history,” Ranieri said. “The objective at Fulham should never be to merely 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 in the table. 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.”

“I wasn’t anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slavisa and wish the circumstances were such that I didn’t have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the club and our supporters,” Khan said. “Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football.

“I am hoping everyone joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be.”