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Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri reveals he was a Craven Cottage regular before landing job

New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has revealed he was a regular visitor to Craven Cottage before his shock appointment as Slavisa Jokanovic’s successor on Wednesday.

Ranieri, 67, lives locally and he attended Fulham’s first game back in the Premier League, a 2-0 defeat to London rivals Crystal Palace, among others this season.

Fulham held talks with the experienced Italian before sacking Jokanovic, but it is thought the former Chelsea and Leicester boss attended matches as a supporter, rather than a guest of the club’s hierarchy.

“Craven Cottage is amazing,” Ranieri said. “When I first arrived here, I thought, ‘Wow!’ It is a story in itself. Often I came to watch matches at Fulham because of my love of football. I came to the very first game of the season against Crystal Palace. Fulham played very good football and it was unbelievable how they conceded two goals.”

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Under Jokanovic, Fulham conceded 31 goals in 12 Premier League games — the worst defensive record in the top flight — and they are rooted to the foot of the table, with just five points.

Ranieri said he would prioritise fixing that leaky defence, starting with the relegation six-pointer against Southampton on November 24, the first match after the international break.

“Often this season, Fulham have conceded too many goals,” he added. “As an Italian manager, the defensive way is the best method of the team. It is important to have a strong vision of how to work defensively. It’s not only the full-back or the goalkeeper. When you attack, you attack as 11. When you defend, you defend as 11.

“There is plenty to work with here,” he added. “I watched some games against Manchester City and Liverpool and the quality is high here. There is a good group here and fighting spirit is very important. Southampton are a good team, but it is important to be prepared. I hope our fans can push behind us. We need the strength of all the fans because we need their support. We will never give up.”

At the other end of the pitch, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored five of Fulham’s 11 League goals and the Serbian has admitted the sacking of his compatriot is more of a blow to him than the rest of the squad.

Jokanovic signed Mitrovic on loan from Newcastle last season before making the deal permanent in the summer. “It’s bad news for me, since everyone knows what impact he had on me and my career,” said Mitrovic. “He did a lot for my career. I can say that it is heavier for me.”

Gutted: Mitrovic said Jokanovic did a lot for his career (AFP/Getty Images)
Gutted: Mitrovic said Jokanovic did a lot for his career (AFP/Getty Images)

Ranieri was dismissed as Leicester manager in February 2017, despite guiding the club to the title the previous season and says he has unfinished business in the Premier League.

“I felt I needed to come back to England,” Ranieri said in an interview with fulhamfctv. “I went abroad last season (to Nantes) to finish my story, but my feeling for English football is so strong that I felt I had to come back.

“Mr Khan is an ambitious man and a good chairman, so I want to give him what he desires.”