He worked a miracle at Leicester City but Claudio Ranieri’s short stint at Fulham has ended in failure.
The Italian was sacked on Thursday after just 106 days in charge and three wins in 17 matches as manager. The final straw was Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat away at Southampton and the chant of “you don’t know what you’re doing” ringing round the stadium from the Fulham faithful.
Scott Parker has been named caretaker manager and he faces a mammoth task in trying to guide Fulham to safety in the ten remaining Premier League matches. They are ten points from safety and that margin is likely to increase this month with games coming up against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Thanks for the memories
It’s the second time this season that Fulham have fired their manager. Former boss Slavisa Jokanovic was replaced by Ranieri in November.
“Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager,” Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said in a statement. “Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort.”
Khan, who had branded Ranieri a “risk-free” appointment last November, expressed his hope that Parker will be able to help Fulham “stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club”.
Parker’s first game in charge will be a west London derby clash at home against Chelsea on Sunday (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports). The 38-year-old previously played for Chelsea and was signed by former Stamford Bridge boss Ranieri.
A Championship club
The Cottagers were in trouble long before Ranieri arrived, having picked up just five points from their first 12 league matches of the season after winning promotion from the Championship last May.
They had spent four seasons in the second tier of English football and judging by their performances this year that is more their level than the Premier League.
“I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment,” said Ranieri. “I would like to thank the club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me during my time at the club.”
At 67, Ranieri’s best managerial days are behind him and having failed at Nantes and now Fulham since bringing Premier League title glory to Leicester in 2015-16, he should head into retirement.
Reactions to Ranieri’s sacking
The Guardian: “A manager who has made 18 exits in five countries ought to know better than most that fairytales happen only once in a lifetime.”
The Times: “Uniting a divided squad and fixing defensive frailty were beyond the Italian manager.”
Sky Sports statto: “Fulham conceded 32 goals in 16 PL games under Claudio Ranieri - only 4 fewer than Leicester conceded in their entire PL title winning season.”
OptaJoe: “Claudio Ranieri lasted just 106 days in charge of Fulham - only six managers in Premier League history have had shorter permanent tenures at a single club.”
Gary Lineker: “Fulham have sacked Claudio Ranieri. In some ways, I wish he’d retired after Leicester won the league.”
Fulham’s next manager betting odds
The London Evening Standard reports that former Everton and Man Utd boss David Moyes is the bookies’ favourite to become the next permanent manager at Fulham. Also in the running are ex-Huddersfield manager David Wagner and former Leicester boss Claude Puel.
According to The Sun, Parker will be considered for the permanent position, as will Bristol City boss Lee Johnson and Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke.
The Daily Mirror, citing prices from Paddy Power, say that Parker is favourite for the job ahead of Sam Allardyce and Clarke.
Odds according to the London Evening Standard
- David Moyes: 7/2
- David Wagner: 5/1
- Claude Puel: 5/1
- Sam Allardyce: 13/2
- Michael O’Neill: 7/1
- Slavisa Jokanovic: 9/1
- Chris Coleman: 10/1
- Carlos Carvalhal: 10/1
- Thierry Henry: 14/1
- Gary Rowett: 14/1
- Louis van Gaal: 16/1
- Harry Redknapp: 16/1
Odds according to Paddy Power
- Scott Parker: 1/10
- Sam Allardyce: 8/1
- Steve Clarke: 10/1
- David Wagner: 10/1
- David Moyes: 14/1
- Lee Johnson: 16/1
- Carlos Carvalhal: 20/1
- Claude Puel: 20/1
- Chris Coleman: 20/1
- Michael O’Neill: 20/1
Premier League fixtures
Saturday 2 March (3pm unless stated)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (12.30pm, live on BT Sport)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester City
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Huddersfield Town
- Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
- Manchester United vs. Southampton
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Cardiff City
- West Ham United vs. Newcastle United (5.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 3 March
- Watford vs. Leicester City (12pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Fulham vs. Chelsea (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Everton vs. Liverpool (4.15pm, live on Sky Sports)
