Kevin Keegan and Sven Goran Eriksson

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON and Kevin Keegan have both turned down Fulham — opening the way for former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri to take over as manager.

Craven Cottage chairman Mohamed Fayed approached the two former England chiefs before he sacked Chris Coleman two weeks ago.

He was turned down flat by Eriksson and Keegan, who still owns a five per cent share in Fulham from his previous stint in charge.

Claudio Ranieri

But Ranieri has expressed an interest in taking charge if Fulham stay up.

The Italian, who is currently on a short-term deal with Serie A strugglers Parma, has a home in West London and has been a frequent visitor to Fulham since being axed by Chelsea three years ago.

Caretaker-chief Lawrie Sanchez, like Eriksson a client of agent Athole Still, is said to be confident of getting the job permanently. But this seems unlikely.

Fayed wants a big-name boss but could not offer the transfer funds to tempt Eriksson.

And Keegan, who quit Fulham in 1999 to take charge of England, maintains he never intends to return to management after being sacked by Manchester City in 2005.

Harrods owner Fayed does not want Sanchez to combine Fulham with his role as Northern Ireland manager.

But the former Wimbledon FA Cup winner is reluctant to give up his international job.

Fulham have taken one point from two matches under Sanchez. And their run of 10 games without a win has left them three points above the drop zone.