 |
| Fulham target Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmoller |
Klaus Toppmoller and George Burley are locked in a two-horse race to become the next Fulham manager.
Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Toppmoller and interim Derby boss Burley are the names on the two-man shortlist drawn up by Cottagers executives after interviews with eight candidates in the past month.
Fulham's three-man recruitment panel of chief executive Bruce Langham, vice-chairman Bill Muddyman and director Stuart Benson have recommended the pair to chairman Mohamed Al Fayed and are now discussing their merits with the Harrods supremo.
 |
Fulham target ex-Ipswich
manager George Burley |
Al Fayed will then interview either one or both of the candidates at the
Ritz Hotel in Paris, where he is living while house-hunting in Switzerland, and decide who will succeed Jean Tigana.
It is understood an announcement could be made later this week or next week.
Caretaker manager Chris Coleman, who finally confirmed his interest in the full-time post after Sunday's season-ending 1-0 victory at Charlton, will only have a chance of the job if Al Fayed is unimpressed with Toppmoller and Burley.
 |
Fulham caretaker manager
Chris Coleman |
Eccentric chain-smoker Toppmoller memorably steered Leverkusen to last year's Champions League final but was fired in February after a disastrous run left the club battling relegation.
Former Ipswich boss Burley took over at Derby on a short-term basis after John Gregory's suspension earlier this year. Gregory was sacked on Friday but is appealing.
Burley has indicated his willingness to stay at the club until Gregory's future is finalised, a state of play likely to be achieved in days rather than weeks.
Coleman's place on Fulham's backroom staff is guaranteed no matter who their new manager is.