After 17 games, Claudio Ranieri has left his role as Fulham manager, with Scott Parker named as caretaker boss untill the end of the season
When the Italian was appointed as Slavisa Jokanovic’s successor at Fulham in November, the club’s owner Shahid Khan described him as “risk free”, but Ranieri has left Craven Cottage with the club 19th in the Premier League and 10 points adrift of safety.
Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Southhampton proved the final straw, and Ranieri has been dismissed following showdown talks with the club’s hierarchy – CEO Alistair Mackintosh and vice-chairman Tony Khan.
Nine of the 17 points that Ranieri gained in charge came in the opening eight matches, and Fulham took just three points from Ranieri’s last eight games in charge with the reverse on the south coast representing a fourth straight loss.
Khan has released a statement following his conversation with Ranieri earlier on Thursday, that reads: “Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone. No surprise to me, Claudio was a perfect gentleman, as always.
“Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today.
“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. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon.