By Dipo Olowookere
Former Premier League winner, Claudio Ranieri, has been relieved of his managerial job at London-based football outfit, Fulham.
Ranieri, who won the league with Leicester City in 2016, was shown the way out after just 16 games in charge of Fulham, which was among the three clubs promoted to the senior division this season.
On Wednesday night, the Italian led the club to a 2-0 defeat by Southampton, which left the Cottagers 19th in the Premier League, 10 points from safety with 10 games left.
“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,” a statement from the club today and signed by its Chairman, Mr Shahid Khan, said.
In the meantime, first-team coach, Scott Parker, has been asked to take charge of the team until the end of the season.
Mr Khan explained in the statement that, “Scott’s immediate assignment is merely to help us stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club.
“If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead.”
Ranieri, 67, was appointed manager of the club in November after the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic.
Reacting to his exit from the club, the former Chelsea manager said, “I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment.
“Finally, 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.”
