Former Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels has been appointed as Fulham's under-21 head coach.
Daniels took training on Monday and will take charge of the team for the EFL Trophy tie away at Leicester City on Tuesday.
“I’m really excited to be joining Fulham. This is a Club with a fantastic reputation for developing young players and providing a pathway into First-Team football," he said.
"This is a great opportunity to work with talented young players at such an important stage in their development, as well as being part of a Club with clear standards and ambitions. I’m passionate about helping players and preparing them for the demands of men's football.
“I’m looking forward to getting straight to work, especially with a game coming up so soon. It’s an exciting challenge ahead which I’m looking forward to getting stuck into.”
The 40-year-old came through the Norwich and Tottenham youth teams, and played for Chesterfield, Leyton Orient, Gillingham, Shrewsbury, Portsmouth and Colchester United.
He made over 200 appearances for Bournemouth, helping them to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2014/15.
After retirement, he worked at Watford with their youth team and has also had stints as the first team's assistant manager and caretaker manager last season.
Fulham FC Statement
The Club is delighted to announce that Charlie Daniels has been appointed as the new Under-21s Head Coach.
Daniels took training on Monday and will be in the dugout for the EFL Trophy tie away at Leicester City tomorrow evening.
He told fulhamfc.com: “I’m really excited to be joining Fulham. This is a Club with a fantastic reputation for developing young players and providing a pathway into First-Team football.
"This is a great opportunity to work with talented young players at such an important stage in their development, as well as being part of a Club with clear standards and ambitions. I’m passionate about helping players and preparing them for the demands of men's football.
“I’m looking forward to getting straight to work, especially with a game coming up so soon. It’s an exciting challenge ahead which I’m looking forward to getting stuck into.”
Steve Wigley, Academy Director, added: “Charlie brings a wealth of experience from an outstanding playing career, having made 500 domestic appearances from League Two all the way up to the Premier League.
“His experience of playing at every level, as well as his coaching background with Watford’s First-Team and U21s side, makes him a fantastic addition to our academy programme.”
Daniels enjoyed a professional playing career that spanned 17 years. He is best known for his time at AFC Bournemouth, where he played over 250 times for the Cherries, playing a pivotal role in their rise from League One to the Premier League.
His eight-year stint in Dorset was sandwiched by spells at Chesterfield, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town, Portsmouth and Colchester United. He retired in 2022 on exactly 500 professional appearances.
After hanging up his boots, Daniels cut his coaching teeth with Watford. He began coaching in the Youth Development Phase, before becoming U18s Head Coach, and then U21s Head Coach.
Following the departure of Javi Gracia in February 2026, Daniels stepped in as First-Team Interim Head Coach, taking charge of two games in the Championship.
The Hornets appointed Ed Still as their permanent Head Coach later that month, with Daniels stepping into the role of First-Team Coach. He left Vicarage Road in June after nearly five years with the Club.
Everyone at Fulham would like to offer Charlie a warm welcome to the Club.
The Club would also like to thank Dan Thomas for taking charge of the U21s on an interim basis, with Thomas now resuming his role as U21s Assistant Head Coach.