‘At least it wasn’t Big Sam’: Fulham fans react to Claudio Ranieri replacing Slavisa Jokanovic

It would be fair to say that Claudio Ranieri wasn’t the first person on Fulham fans’ shortlist to replace Slavisa Jokanovic.

“Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham,” said Fulham owner Shahid Khan in his statement announcing Ranieri’s appointment. The claim that Ranieri is “risk-free” has to go down as a magnificent act of hubris, given that this is a man who once led Greece to defeat against the Faroe Islands and has rarely been at any one club for more than two years.

Ranieri is, of course, also the man who led Leicester to the Premier League title at 5000-1 odds a few seasons ago, so it is essentially impossible to make an educated guess at how this is going to turn out. It should be fun to watch, either way, which is more than could be said of some of the other managers mooted as replacements for Jokanovic, who led Fulham to promotion from the Championship last season.

Fulham fans have their own views on Ranieri’s arrival and Jokanovic’s departure. Namely, at least they didn’t appoint Alan Pardew and…

At least it wasn't big sam…

— Sammy James (@MrSammyJames) November 14, 2018

Here’s the best of the reaction

Fulham appointing Ranieri makes absolutely no sense but is also the most obvious thing in the world. No I will not explain myself

— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) November 14, 2018

We appoint Claudio Ranieri…

Don’t say it
Don’t say it
Don’t say it
Don’t say it
Don’t say it
Don’t say it
Don’t say it

We’re gonna stay up and win the league next season #ffc

— Konnor Ingram (@konnor_ffc) November 14, 2018

ffs now fulham are going to win the league

— Paul Gibbins (@paulgibbins) November 14, 2018

My dad rang me, said Jokanovic has been sacked then said he was being replaced with Alan Pardew and I nearly passed out luckily it really was a joke

— Lauren (@MoutheySouthey) November 14, 2018

“Are you going to miss Slav?” #FFC pic.twitter.com/UIQMFtT6EA

— Louis Hazelwood (@louis_hazelwood) November 14, 2018

Some tributes for Jokanovic

Well. That’s put the cat amongst the pigeons. Would have expected it post-Huddersfield, not post-Liverpool. So much to thank Slavisa for, and so much that we all as a collective owe him for creating an identity and turning the club around. He changed things, decisively. #FFC

— Jack J Collins (@jackjcollins) November 14, 2018

Gutted for Slav tbh thanks for everything @Jokanovic.. last season was a fairytale. #ffc

— Borgy (@adamborg93) November 14, 2018

Can’t think of a time where I’ve felt so sad that a manager has been sacked from Fulham So much to thank @Jokanovic for #FFC

— Jaik Bramley-Fenton (@JaikBFenton) November 14, 2018

Thank you @Jokanovic for getting OUR Fulham to play the most entertaining football i have witnessed as a fan. You rescued us from a dark place. You brought us happiness, entertained us and most importantly got us to where we deserve to be. Always a legend here. #FFC

— Shane Smith (@shaneffcsmith) November 14, 2018

Absolutely gutted for @Jokanovic – will remain a legend of #ffc. What football he gave us. God I hate modern football #ffc

— Gerry Pimm (@gerrypimm) November 14, 2018