Claudio Ranieri will scoop a massive £1million bonus if he keeps Fulham in the Premier League

CLAUDIO RANIERI is set for a £1million bonus if he keeps Fulham in the Premier League.

The ex-Chelsea and Leicester boss was appointed by Cottagers owner Shahid Khan after Slavisa Jokanovic became the first top-flight managerial casualty of the season.

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And Fulham admitted Serb Jokanovic was on his way BEFORE Sunday’s loss at Liverpool as they had already interviewed potential successors.

Khan was knocked back by Arsene Wenger and also spoke to ex-Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores and former Swansea chief Carlos Carvalhal before offering Ranieri a “multi-year contract”.

Khan said he and his son Tony, the club’s vice-chairman, had spoken to “a number of potential candidates”, with Italian Ranieri, 67, the “mutual and obvious choice”.

The owner said:  “Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment.

Ranieri's not the nice guy he appears... he's just who Fulham need to beat the drop

By MARTIN LIPTON

 

THE last time Claudio Ranieri was appointed to a job in the Premier League, the reaction was disbelief and laughter.

Gary Lineker dismissed the Italian as “an uninspired choice”, Tony Cottee thought it was a “huge gamble” and Harry Redknapp added: “After what happened with Greece, I am surprised he can walk back into the Premier League.”

What happened next is a history that will never be forgotten, especially in Leicester.

The greatest, most remarkable and unexpected story, arguably of any era, certainly of this one.

And that is why Fulham’s decision to appoint the Italian, bringing him back to West London some 18 years since his first role in the SW postcode, will not attract any criticism.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MARTIN'S ANALYSIS IN FULL

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“His recent body of work with Leicester City is literally legendary — and then you look at Claudio’s experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and it’s pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club.”

Ranieri, who will today meet those Fulham players not on international duty, will be formally unveiled by the end of the week.

His appointment on a heavily incentivised deal comes 21 months after he was axed by Leicester, having led them to the most unlikely of title wins.

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Jokanovic was said to have been “surprised and shocked” to be told of his dismissal in an early morning telephone call.

But depressing defeats to Bournemouth and Huddersfield — which left Fulham bottom — sealed his fate.

Khan said: “Slavisa will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football.”

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