Magath axed after winless start
FULHAM chairman Shahid Khan is looking for his fourth manager during a turbulent 14 months at Craven Cottage, after Felix Magath was sacked last night.
Former defender Kit Symons has been appointed caretaker boss ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Blackburn and is favourite to successfully make the upgrade from the Under-21s job to take the first-team reins full-time.
Under-fire Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is also among the frontrunners for the hot-seat, alongside out of work Chris Hughton and Neil Lennon.
“This is an unfortunate but necessary change,” said Khan, whose club are bottom of the Championship with one point from seven games.
“I am doing what I feel is right and needed for Fulham Football Club, for today as well as tomorrow.
“I thank our supporters for standing by us during these most difficult of times on the pitch, and promise better days ahead.”
Magath succeeded Rene Meulensteen as manager in February, after the Dutchman spent little over two months in the role following Martin Jol’s sacking in December.
The German’s reign lasted for just 20 matches in all competitions however, 12 of which ended in defeat as Fulham failed to avoid relegation from the Premier League last term.
Two others managers also left their respective posts yesterday. Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped down at Cardiff, and, in League One, Micky Adams departed Port Vale following a run of six straight defeats.
COTTAGE CANDIDATES
■ Who will be Fulham’s next boss?
■ Kit Symons – Fulham Under-21 manager and in temporary charge of first team affairs
■ Chris Hughton – Won promotion to the Premier League with Newcastle
■ Neil Lennon – Hugely successful at Celtic but untested in England