Jean Tigana wants to make a sensational return as Felix Magath’s permanent replacement at Fulham, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The Frenchman’s representatives have made contact with chairman Shahid Khan to register his interest in a second spell at Craven Cottage after he led the Whites to a memorable promotion from Division One in 2001.
Khan is being advised to plump for a candidate with more recent experience of English football — but Fulham insiders say all bets are off as the American is determined to personally lead the search for Magath’s successor, with little input from chief executive Alastair Mackintosh.
Tigana led Fulham to the title the last time they played at Championship level in 2001, but was sacked by former owner Mohamed Al Fayed after a spectacular fall-out, centring on the ill-fated £11million club-record signing of striker Steve Marlet.
The former France midfielder won a court case against Al Fayed for wrongful dismissal, earning a £2m settlement but has told associates that he has been eager to make a managerial return to the Cottage since the Egyptian sold up to Khan last summer.
Tigana, now 59, was loved by Fulham fans for his team’s attractive brand of football as he led them to promotion and Premier League survival — but he has since had a patchy record with Turkish club Besiktas, French side Bordeaux and Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.
Caretaker boss Kit Symons is a serious candidate to take over on a full-time basis.
However, he faces competition from Neil Lennon, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton, Steve Clarke and former Fulham skipper Danny Murphy.