Fulham have sacked manager Chris Coleman and his assistant Steve Kean with immediate effect. Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will take over on a caretaker basis for the remainder of the season.
The Cottagers lie four points above the Premiership drop zone after a seven-game winless streak, but the sacking still comes as a surprise.
Fulham issued a statement thanking Coleman for his "fantastic service during his 10 years at the club".
"It is disappointing that the club has no alternative but to part company [with Coleman]," the statement continued.
"As a team and organisation Fulham Football Club has goals to attain and success to achieve and by no means can this be compromised.
"As part of the restructure, Steve Kean will also be replaced with immediate effect.
"After consultation with the Irish FA president Jim Boyce, it is agreed that Lawrie Sanchez will join as caretaker manager for the remaining five Premiership games of the season."
Coleman joined Fulham as a player in 1997 in a ?2m move from Blackburn, but injuries suffered in a car crash in 2001 led to his retirement less then two years later.
He took over as manager in April 2003 following the departure of Jean Tigana.
Sanchez has led Northern Ireland to the top of their European Championships qualifying group with victories over Spain and Sweden.
He also oversaw a famous 1-0 win over England in the last World Cup qualifying competition.
Sometimes I disagre with the ''just fire somebody'' mentality. Coleman has been there for a long time, knows the players, and knows what tactics to employ to get the job done
I feel its a bit hard on Coleman actually. I thing you'll find it hard to find any other manager that could have continued to keep Fulham in that mid-just above relegation zone bracket other than Coleman.
Can you honestly say that he has done a poor job when you look at the facts. He lost Saha and Van Der Sar to United, he was forced to sell Melbranc to Spers and Boe Morte to West Ham and was given no money to relplace.
And with Mohamd Al Fiad, with all his millions, in charge, and the money they got from those transfers then you cant relly say the money hasn't been their.
The fans should have turned on the board before the manager.
I am not saying he has done a bad job far from it but football is about the here and now and the fact is 7 games without a win and 5 left if the poor from had continued Coleman would have seen Fulham relegated if you are the board of directors can you take that risk? had we been in early or mid season then yes give the guy a chance but at the business end of the season nobody can afford to go 7 games without a win and lets be honest when you saw Fulham it never really looked like they were turning the corner.
04-11-2007 02:05 AM
