Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic admits he will rebuild a Fulham squad to make the best use of Ross McCormack – despite the club’s current plight.
The Whites gaffer was true to his word to not only keeper his leading striker but tie him to a long-term contract until 2020.
McCormack was tipped to leave for Middlesbrough in the transfer window, but Fulham were never going to let go of the one player between them and a relegation scrap.
McCormack subsequently signed a new deal, and the head coach predicts a number of players leaving at the end of the season.
The Scotland international also deservedly won his 12th cap for Scotland and his first appearance in two years when he started in the 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday.
Jokanovic said: “I said many times Ross is our key player and we want to build a team around him. He can be a better player. A good move for him and a good move for us.
“My dream is similar to McCormack’s dream. I too want to coach in the Premier League.
“It was a bit difficult, confused and complicated. He didn’t know was best for him in the future – now his mind is clear.
“We need to build something more competitive for the future. We don’t need to look around for something better that we already have.
“It’s our obligation to improve our performance and step by step to push Fulham forward.”
The Whites hover just above the Championship drop zone and face a daunting six-pointer at home to MK Dons on Saturday. But their man-in-charge insists he has to push on with summer plans for a third campaign in the second tier.
Jokanovic added: “I need new players, but I want to stick with old players – this is nothing strange and a normal process, and with fresh investment we’re going to bring fresh blood.”
