Arsene Wenger rejected Fulham before they turned to Ranieri
Premier League
By
Robert Abong'o
| Nov 15, 2018
Could Arsene Wenger have managed a side in the relegation zone?
According to various news outlets across Europe, the former Arsenal boss rejected a chance to become Fulham manager before the club eventually turned to former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri.
Wenger, on April 20, announced that he would step down at the end of the 2017/18 season after he managed the Gunners for close to 22 years. He is yet to take up a new position.
He hinted of a possible return to management in January, saying he may be ‘ready to work again’ following rumours that he was going to take charge of a Champions League club.
"I believe that [I'll] start again on January 1. I don't know yet. I am rested, and I am ready to work again. There are associations, national teams, it could be also in Japan,” Wenger told German tabloid Bild.
READ MORE
Counties sitting on Sh1b emergency fund amid raging floods
Poultry players protest US import deal plan
Uptake of AI-powered home solutions low despite many benefits
Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
Logistics firm eyes bigger market pie after MSC pact, rebrand
Is government on 'fuliza' mode?
KQ suspends flights to Kinshasa over detention of staff
Six-month loan moratorium will ease financial strain on businesses affected by floods
Expert: The shilling has regained value, but don't expect it to last
On Tuesday, November 14, Fulham finally sacked Serbian Slavisa Jokanovic following a streak of poor underwhelming performances and replaced him with Ranieri.
The Cottagers, currently bottom of the Premier League, have only five points after 12 matches.
The 67-year-old title-winning boss has been given a multi-year contract and will take over at Craven Cottage for the rest of the season.
According to Fulham chairman Shahid Khan, making any managerial changes without having the right succession plan was not in their thoughts.
"Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option," said Khan.
He termed Claudio’s appointment as ‘essential’ to the club’s ambitions. He also praised Ranieri’s style of play – which made him win the league with Leicester City in 2015/16.
"Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham.
"His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudio's experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it's pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club," he explained.
Ranieri, in response to Khan’s comments, said it is an honour to be appointed Fulham boss, lauding the club’s fantastic history.
"It is an honour to accept Mr Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history," said Ranieri.
He vowed to make Fulham a hard club to beat, considering the amount of talent he now has at his disposal.
“The objective should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed. This squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table," he added.
Fulham host Southampton on November 24 – This will Ranieri’s first game in charge.
- Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
- Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
- KQ suspends flights to Kinshasa over detention of staff
- Is government on 'fuliza' mode?