Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has furiously denied reports that Chris Coleman is about to sacked, saying he will take legal action as the claims ‘as complete and utter rubbish’.
Al Fayed has given Coleman his full support following claims in yesterday’s Guardian that a sports agency have been asked to headhunt a replacement for the Fulham manager.
“This story is complete and utter rubbish,” Al Fayed said in a statement issued this morning. “I met with Chris last night at Harrods and we are fully on course for next season’s campaign with him as manager of the club. We discussed potential acquisitions and our ambitions for a better finish and I believe Chris can and will achieve this.
“Spurious stories in the media will do nothing to deter my aims for this football club or my wholehearted 100% support of Chris Coleman. Chris is and will remain the club manager – anyone else who speculates on his future or writes spurious stories regarding his future will be subject to legal scrutiny. I have instructed my legal representatives to take action following this report.”
Coleman’s position has been the source of scrutiny throughout his three-year reign at Craven Cottage – even though he has kept the club in the Premiership on a shoestring budget.
Under his guidance Fulham have enjoyed their highest-ever top-flight finish – ninth in 2004 – and have ended subsequent league campaigns in 13th and 12th.
Coleman is the longest serving boss under Al Fayed but has frequently been forced to dismiss doubts over his Fulham future with the most recent surfacing in March.
For the first time the 35-year-old has been armed with a significant transfer kitty – thought to be over £6million – and he has already spent £2.5m (€3.6m) on Wigan midfielder Jimmy Bullard.
