Fulham have picked player-coach Paul Bracewell as Kevin Keegan’s successor as manager.
Mohamed Al-Fayed promoted the former Sunderland midfielder, who has been part of the Craven Cottage coaching staff for the past eighteen months, over the likes of Ruud Gullitt, Fabio Capello and Glenn Hoddle after Keegan went back on his word to take the England job full-time.
Fulham chairman Al-Fayed said: “Paul made a great effort in winning us the Division Two championship and I had to give him a chance. I want to give British managers a chance and not bring someone from Holland, Spain or Italy.”
Bracewell, who has been handed a two-year contract in his first managerial role, has ended his playing career and kept Keegan confidant Frank Sibley as a first-team coach. He insisted that he will be able to entice top players to Fulham despite lacking Keegan’s big name.
“It will not be a problem. I want players to come here because they want to play for Fulham. I learned a lot under Kevin and hope to take it on. I want to get us into the Premiership.”
