Slavisa was Ful of hope
SLAVISA JOKANOVIC is convinced he would have kept Fulham in the Premier League.
The Serb was sacked on Wednesday and replaced by Claudio Ranieri.
Jokanovic won promotion with Fulham last season but despite the club then spending more than £100m, he was axed with his side bottom of the table, having lost their last six.
Fulham had failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 league games and shipped 31 goals, including eight in their last two home ties.
“I was still confident that we would have been able to turn things around after our slow start to the season, just as we had done in previous years,” said Jokanovic, who believes he has left the club in better shape than when he joined three years ago.
In a statement, he added: “I reflect on my spell at Fulham with immense pride and gratitude, looking back on great memories following my appointment at this fantastic football club.
“We have been on an exciting journey together.
“It all started when we avoided relegation to League One, in my first season, before reaching the play-offs in my second year and then achieving promotion to the Premier League on an unforgettable day at Wembley back in May.
“I feel we gave the club’s fans a footballing identity and a team to be proud of.”