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Today was supposed to be the day. Players and fans of Fulham thought the long wait was over, but they'll have to wait a little bit longer as the South West London club edge towards appointing a new manager. The Craven Cottage hierarchy has seemingly bottled at its self imposed deadline and the official news will come next week. Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Martin Jol is now the number one favourite to take over the Whites - but the extra time may mean officials are scrambling to secure the services of long term bookies tip Sven Goran Eriksson who poured cold water on his apparent appointment last week. It is also thought that the Swedes wage demands were too high. It was widely expected that an announcement would be made by the Premiership club today before the team head off to Sweden for a 10 day pre season tour. The new man will fly out to the squad. The smart money was always the ex England coach - Fulham Chairman Alistair Mackintosh knows the Swede from their time together at Manchester City.
Players "frustration"
The frustration at the long drawn out process is apparently affecting the team. "It is a little bit frustrating not having someone in place," said midfielder Simon Davies following Fulham's opening pre-season fixture against Brentford on Wednesday. "I've no idea who it's going to be but the club have said that by the end of this week or the beginning of next week, they'll have someone in place."
Case for Jol
Dutchman Jol could be playing Champions League football this year is his Ajax side navigate the qualifiers, Fulham can only offer him the Europa Cup. Despite being sacked by Spurs in October 2007, he still owns a house in England and may fancy another crack at the Premier League. Reports suggest the 54-year-old would be given rolling contract, similar to that which Hodgson was on, and an improvement on his current salary.
Rivals out
Dark horse, USA coach Bob Bradley is seemingly out of the frame after the United States Soccer Federation outlined their intention to extend Bradley's current contract. Earlier in the week a representative of former Siena manager Alberto Malesani, Michele Ruggiero, revealed that Fulham are interested. Fulham have been without a boss since Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool July 1, Ray Lewington has taken charge of the sides friendly’s and says he does not want the job. Sven 'cools' on move Long term favourite Erikson is currently manager of the Ivory Coast and has revealed he's mulling over a new contract with the Elephants. Eriksson told Swedish broadcaster SVT: "I do not know, honestly. I do not think Fulham have decided what they want to do. They (Ivory Coast) were really pleased (with the team's efforts in the World Cup) and I guess that I can stay on if I want to. If so, it will be for four years until the next World Cup finals. I'll make up my mind in a week or so. I have to do it soon since there are friendlies in August and qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations in September and October." Also putting the breaks on a possible move to the Whites is Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld who today ruled himself out of the running. The 61-year-old saying: "I've now got another two years in Switzerland – and they will be my last two years in management." Here are the latest odds from Ladbrokes Sven Goran Eriksson 4/6
Ottmar Hitzfeld 3/1
Alan Curbishley 7/1
Slaven Bilic 7/1
Dave Jones 7/1
Stuart Baxter 7/1
Mark Hughes 12/1
Lee Clark 14/1
Gianfranco Zola 16/1
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