Sanchez to be handed fighting fund

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez will be handed “significant funds” to turn the club into a Premiership force, according to chairman Mohamed Al Fayed.

The former Northern Ireland boss was handed the Cottagers job on a temporary basis towards the end of last season, and was entrusted with the role permanently when he preserved the strugglers’ top-flight status in the wake of Chris Coleman’s departure.

Sanchez’s appointment was greeted with surprise in some quarters given his lack of top-flight managerial experience, but Al Fayed insists he is willing to back his new man with hard cash in the summer transfer market.

“I haven’t hesitated in making significant funds available to our new manager,” he told club website www.fulhamfc.com.

“I want him to invest on the pitch and build a team that can take us to further heights. We have a wonderful club on the banks of the Thames, a magnificent training facility and we play in the best league in the world – I have no doubt that we can attract the best players to come here.”

The Egyptian owner of Harrods celebrates the 10th anniversary of his takeover of the Londoners this year.

Despite the club’s struggles last season, when they finished just a point above the relegation zone, Al Fayed is adamant his enthusiasm remains undimmed.

He said: “My passion for the club and my desire to succeed is as strong as ever – perhaps even stronger now that we are so close to achieving our ambition of becoming an established top-10 Premiership side.”

He added: “It has been a tough 2006-07 season – there’s no point denying that. Difficult decisions needed to be made.

“We have identified a number of targets and there will be considerable movement throughout the summer months to support our aims.”