Tigana ‘the maestro’ sacked by Fulham

JEAN TIGANA’S rollercoaster three-year reign at Fulham came to an abrupt and dramatic end last night as chairman Mohamed Al Fayed finally disposed of the man he once hailed as “the maestro.”

The Frenchman's tenure had become increasingly awkward since Harrods tycoon Al Fayed told him three weeks ago that his two-year contract extension scheduled to begin on June 30 had been withdrawn. Tigana, as a player was an exceptional midfield practitioner who orchestrated the superb French side of the 80s.

Al Fayed lost all patience with Tigana, the manager, last night, axing him two months ahead of schedule and installing coach Chris Coleman as caretaker manager for the final five games of the season.

Fulham's flamboyant chairman revealed he acted because of the three straight defeats which left his club just six points above the relegation zone concerns the announcement about Tigana's contract had caused "unrest in the squad" and that "team spirit needed to be restored as quickly as possible".

Coleman, the man appointed to address those issues, is a popular figure both in the dressing room and the stands. The former Welsh international, 32, was forced to retire as a player and Fulham's club captain in October after a failed 21-month battle to recover his fitness after a serious car crash which left him with a broken leg.

He was appointed coach, third in command behind Tigana and his assistant Christian Damiano although he actually ruled out succeeding Tigana a fortnight ago.

The surprise announcement appears to have taken Tigana, Coleman and Fulham's players, by surprise. The Frenchman lined up alongside club staff at lunchtime today for their weekly kick-around at their Motspur Park training headquarters in south London. Al Fayed, who has described Tigana's long-term successor as "the next David Moyes," said: "It has been a difficult time for us over recent months and the season has not ended the way I would have liked.

"However, the most important thing is we ensure a successful conclusion and look forward to next season in the Premiership."

Graham Rix was quick to stake a claim for the job. Rix first team coach at Chelsea under Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli prior to a 13-month stint as manager of Portsmouth which ended in March last year believes the west London team would represent the perfect opportunity for him to get back into the game.

Rix underlined his credentials for the job, adding: "I've worked with top players we had a team of internationals at Chelsea who worked well and had a lot of success.

"I think I've got a lot to offer as a manager and a coach. Having been youth team coach I've got a way with youngsters, bringing them on and encouraging them.

"But I just want to get back into football. I've been out of it a long time and I miss it."