WENGER IN KHAN SNUB

FROM BACK PAGE the side in January, following recent defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield.

But Wenger, 69, stuck to his insistence that he will not take another top-flight job in England out of respect to his former club. Instead, Fulham turned to titlewinning Italian Ranieri to replace Jokanovic and Mirror Sport understands the 67-year-old will get a huge January war chest to strengthen the ailing squad. Ranieri’s appointment was announced just an hour after Jokanovic (left) was informed of his axing yesterday.

Owner Shahid Khan admitted to holding talks with Ranieri behind his former manager’s back. Ranieri, who oversaw Leicester’s Premier League title miracle in 2016, said: “This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position. It is very capable of better performances.”