Fulham sack Slavisa Jokanovic with Claudio Ranieri named new boss at Craven Cottage

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The decision, taken by Cottagers owner Shahid Khan, comes with Fulham three points adrift of safety after 12 matches.

Despite a £100million summer investment after their promotion through the play-offs last term, Fulham have struggled in the top flight.

Defensively they have been a shambles, conceding 31 goals and losing nine games, with their solitary win coming over Burnley in August.

And despite suggestions that the club retained faith in 50-year-old Jokanovic, they have now decided to take action.

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Ranieri, who took Leicester City to the title in 2016 before being sacked less than a year later, said: "It is an honour to accept Mr Khan’s invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history.

"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League.

"We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.

"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table.

"I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage.”

Ranieri's first game will be a possible relegation six-pointer against struggling Saints on November 24.

The 67-year-old journeyman then goes to his old Stamford Bridge stomping ground - before hosting another former club Leicester.