Tuesday 30 September 2014 20:21, UK
Ex-Fulham stars Danny Murphy and Brian McBride, as well as former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn, have been named on a five-man search panel for the club's new manager.
After sacking Felix Magath 12 days ago, Whites owner Shahid Khan said he would personally lead the hunt for his successor.
Khan placed Under-21s boss Kit Symons in caretaker charge, and the American has confirmed Symons is a candidate for the full-time job, but he has also appointed Nike director David Daly and Academy director Huw Jennings to the search party.
“They each bring something similar, and yet unique, to the search,” Khan said.
“They understand what we want to achieve, they’re committed to the process, and they very much respect Fulham.
“They know this is a special job for a manager and they want to play a role in making sure we get this right for everyone who plays for Fulham or loves the club. And we will.
“But this will be an exhaustive, thorough and deliberate process. No decisions will be made for the sake of deadlines or convenience.”
Murphy is a former Fulham captian who played over 200 times for the club during a five-year stay at Craven Cottage.
Former USA international McBride signed from Columbus Crew in 2004 and made 153 appearances, scoring 40 goals.
Daly is senior director of club and federation business at Nike and a lifelong Fulham fan while Jennings has overseen Fulham’s successful academy for a number of years and is one of the most experienced coaches in the game.
Sky Sports pundit Quinn, enjoyed an illustrious top-flight career with Arsenal, Manchester City and then Sunderland, whilst winning 92 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
The Irishman is no stranger to the process of appointing managers, having been chairman at Sunderland from June 2006 to October 2011.
Over that period the Sunderland team were managed by Quinn himself, Roy Keane, Ricky Sbragia and Steve Bruce.
He believes the know-how he gathered during his Stadium of Light tenure spurred Fulham to involve him in their search.
"They recognised that I helped to do something right up at Sunderland some years ago," Quinn said on Sky Sports, "and they're looking for some outside help alongside four other Fulham stalwarts, to get together to form the criteria and form the best list possible to come up with the right man for the job at Fulham.
"It's a very important time. Fulham have had a roller coaster time over the last few months.
"The new manager (Felix Magath) has come in, everyone thought it would be the answer and it was going to be right, but it hasn't been so it's very important this is done properly and done well.
"I'm really pleased to be asked and look forward to meeting with the group. "The first meeting starts tomorrow in London so I'm very pleased to be attending that."
"Between us all I'm sure we'll come up with a group that ultimately Mr Khan will make a decision on and we'll use our influences and experiences to get him as good a group as possible."
It may not result in the swiftest appointment, with Quinn saying: "I imagine in the next three-four weeks it should be completed."
