Louis Saha - Return To The Cottage

Jol sacked after disagreement with chairman

BREAKING NEWS: Shock has gone through the footballing world as Fulham manager Martin Jol's contract as the Cottagers' manager has been terminated with immediate effect, after an apparent long-running row with chairman Shahid Khan, although no one knows just quite what the argument was about...

Many Fulham fans were dreading this moment, as Jol was believed by some fans to be the one to bring the South London club some success. Facebook and Twitter have already gone into outrage about the sacking, here are a few examples of the reaction on Facebook...

The official Fulham F.C. website released this statement online:
"It is with regret and sadness that we announce the termination of dedicated manager Martin Jol's contract, due to a dangerous row with respected chairman Shahid Khan. The reasoning for the sacking right now is recommended by physios, scouts and the director of football, who didn't want this to progress too far. However, we wish Martin the best of luck in all of his future footballing endeavours, and the adventures he may take on."

"We are going through our options for the new manager to bring into the club, and we are close to appointing a special someone to the club already, providing everything goes to plan. We hope you all can support our decision and help us in the next chapter of this club's life. Thanks to Martin who has spent many years with us, each year putting in as much work as the last. Goodbye to Martin, and a future welcome to whoever the new manager may be."

Despite the outrage of Jol's sacking, some fans are optimistic ahead of the bright-looking future for the Cottagers, and are, if anything, looking forward to the revealing of the new manager, one they hope can bring success to the club. They have for many years been in the shadow of their much more successful rivals Chelsea, but many have dreamed their reign will end soon.

And THAT is when I knew it was all real. It wasn't a dream, nor a nightmare. I was going to be the Fulham manager, words could not describe it...

2013-09-20 19:32#135330 AlexTHFC : Here are a few examples of the reaction on Facebook...

I notice the little delete button on those posts...

Nice start m8, good luck

Great start mate!

Jol: Fulham are a nasty piece of work

Recently sacked Fulham manager Martin Jol has called his old club a "nasty piece of work" and that he was "relieved to have been sacked". Most football fans know that Jol was sacked as Fulham manager a few days ago after a row between him and chairman Shahid Khan, and the club are now searching for a new manager, hoping to get a deal done as soon as possible.

When asked by Sky Sports News, Jol said...
"In the end, I'm relieved to have been sacked. There had been a long running feud between Khan and I, and sometimes I just didn't feel safe. In the job or otherwise. No one will ever know what Khan is capable of, and believe me, you don't want to know. They're a nasty piece of work since Khan became chairman, one I have struggled to come to terms with. I'm now appalled that I was ever even trying to be a part of Khan's sick mind games and plans - they're a disgrace to the club and to football."

"My advice to whoever the next manager of Fulham will be is to watch their back, and stand up to Khan. If you don't want to do something, don't do it - no matter what Khan says. Don't back down, as he'll then know that you're not a pushover."

Many rumours have gone round suggesting the new Fulham manager, some good; some very bad according to fans. The apparently most likely appointments are former Blackburn manager Steve Kean, the one who is dreaded, retired goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar and favourite to get the job is recently sacked Carlisle manager Greg Abbott, but the reaction to this rumour is extremely varied.

I love the structure, The pictures add a lot of effect in the first update (The beginning) again, perhaps a future SOTM contender, you have to believe!

Nice idea, I am looking forward to a Saha story, good luck.

Saha hired as Fulham manager

Recently retired striker Louis Saha has today been revealed as the new Fulham manager, an appointment which has had mixed reaction. The 35 year old retired in the summer of 2013, and had said he was interested in football management.

Saha had played for many clubs in his 16 year career, starting at Metz, where he stayed for 3 years, including a loan move to Newcastle United. This was when Fulham snapped the striker up, and he stayed for a lengthy 4 years, before going on to larger Premier League club Manchester United. His career in Manchester was successful, and he stayed for another 4 years. The next destination for Saha was Everton, where he stayed for yet another 4 years before being released on a free transfer. This was Tottenham Hotspur's chance to sign the star, but his career in Spurs colours wasn't very successful, as he left after 1 season. His last stay in the Premier League was then at Sunderland, but he only stayed half a season before going off to Lazio- the final club of his playing career.

In a statement exclusive to Sky Sports News, Saha said...
"It is truly a dream come true to even be considered for Fulham at all, let alone for my first ever management job. I know I have no experience, but I believe I have what it takes to lead this beloved club to success. Fulham are a great club; a great club without many trophies. I hope that in my time as manager, I can change that. I want to bring the fans trophies. I want to bring them success."

"Since leaving Fulham, the squad and the running has changed, but that doesn't bother me one bit. I am a professional, I will adapt to whatever change may hit me. I will be making some changes, but I'm sure every player will be able to appreciate these changes and help the club go forward. I would like to thank Shahid Khan for this opportunity, and the entire board and staff for being supportive of my upcoming challenges."

As said before, there has been a mixed reaction to Saha being appointed as manager, here are some of the quotes from Facebook...
Those are just 2 examples of the contrast in opinion - and now we would like your verdict. What do you think of Saha being the new Fulham manager? Post your opinions below...

Fulham grab 2 players on a free

Louis Saha has already added 2 players to his Fulham squad, both players joining on a free transfer, and meant to be first team players. It is certain that the signings are reinforcing fans' belief in Saha, after being appointed a few days ago. The board alone are impressed with the speed of the two deals, and the deals overall.

The first player to join the Fulham squad is former player Mladen Petric, who was released by the club at the end of the 2012-13 season. Saha clearly wasn't happy with the Croatian striker leaving, and therefore snapped him up just weeks after he was released.

Speaking of re-joining the club, Petric said...
"I really didn't think I'd go back to Fulham after being released last season, so I'm glad Louis has given me another chance. I hope I don't let him, the board or any of the fans down, as my football career could be in ruin if I do. Fulham are a great side, with a new chapter ahead of them, I'm honoured to be a part of it. Competition for the striker position will be tough, with Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent already in that position, but it should be a good season for us."

The second free transfer going into the team is former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, who was recently released by Paris Saint Germain. Saha has called the deal a "coup" and a player who "should be feared". Many fans will see this deal as successful, with Sissoko previously playing for teams like Juventus, PSG and Valencia, as well as obviously Liverpool.

Sissoko expressed his delight at getting back into football by saying...
"I'm delighted to have been signed by Fulham so quickly, as I was eager to get back into professional football with a club. There's a huge difference between PSG and Fulham, but I'm happy to be at this club in the new era they're going in to. I'm hoping to get first team football, something PSG would rarely give me, and to play with some class players, such as Dimitar Berbatov, Scott Parker and Maarten Stekelenburg."

The summer so far can be called a success, with Saha not looking to stop his transfers any time soon, with Fulham being linked with players such as Mile Jedinak, Stefan Denswil and transfer listed Gabriel Agbonlahor, although the latter may be out of the club's price range.