Premier League strugglers Fulham have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri after little over three months in charge. The Italian won just 12 points in 16 games after taking over in November from Slavisa Jokanovic, leaving the club second-bottom, 10 points from safety with as many games to go. In a statement, Fulham named their former midfielder Scott Parker as caretaker manager. Ranieri led Leicester to the most unlikely of Premier League titles in 2016 but was unable to produce another miracle in his brief time at Fulham. Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said Ranieri was "not solely to blame for the position we are in today." "Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager," Khan said in a statement on Fulham's website. "Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon." Khan said Parker's immediate task was to "stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club". The Fulham chairman hinted that the club is already preparing for life in the Championship next season. "If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead," he said. "What's most important at this moment, however, is to regroup in a smart and deliberate manner that will serve our long-term vision for sustainable success. "If we're able to do that and win some matches to make a stand late in the season, all the better." Ranieri said he was sad to go. "I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment," he said. Australian Associated Press
Cluadio Ranieri has been sacked by Fulham with the club facing relegation from the EPL.
Premier League strugglers Fulham have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri after little over three months in charge.
The Italian won just 12 points in 16 games after taking over in November from Slavisa Jokanovic, leaving the club second-bottom, 10 points from safety with as many games to go.
In a statement, Fulham named their former midfielder Scott Parker as caretaker manager.
Ranieri led Leicester to the most unlikely of Premier League titles in 2016 but was unable to produce another miracle in his brief time at Fulham.
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said Ranieri was "not solely to blame for the position we are in today."
"Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager," Khan said in a statement on Fulham's website.
"Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon."
Khan said Parker's immediate task was to "stabilise, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club".
The Fulham chairman hinted that the club is already preparing for life in the Championship next season.
"If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead," he said.
"What's most important at this moment, however, is to regroup in a smart and deliberate manner that will serve our long-term vision for sustainable success.
"If we're able to do that and win some matches to make a stand late in the season, all the better."
Ranieri said he was sad to go.
"I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment," he said.
