Fulham interested in former Siena manager Alberto Malesani, reveals agent Michele Ruggiero

The former Parma man faces stiff competition from USA boss Bob Bradley...

14 Jul 2010 17:25:00

By Eliot Rothwell

More On :  Fulham, Siena, Alberto Malesani
Alberto Malesani - Siena (Getty Images)

The representative of former Siena manager Alberto Malesani, Michele Ruggiero, has revealed that Premier League club Fulham are interested in his client.

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On Tuesday Goal.com UK exclusively revealed that current Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld is in the running for the vacancy at Craven Cottage, which was created after Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley have also been linked with the post, but Ruggiero believes his client is also firmly in the running.

"Malesani to Fulham chances? It's not 100 per cent, but Fulham’s interest is real and they are working on plenty of situations to solve," Ruggiero told Sky Sport Italia.

“It's down to the club's owner Al-Fayed and down to Fulham. We are waiting for developments.”

Malesani, who had a fairly obscure playing career, found his feet in management in 1993 with Chievo Verona, winning them promotion to the Italian Serie B.

He gained his first taste of major silverware with Parma where he won the Coppa Italia, the UEFA Supercup and the Italian Super Cup. His most recent manager’s position was at Serie A club Siena, where he replaced the outgoing Marco Baroni, before being released at the end of the 2009/2010 season.

Despite the big names already linked with the job, Ruggiero referenced Malesani’s managerial record and playing style as a reason for Fulham’s interest.

"His curriculum has had his weight. They know him well and Fulham have played like Parma under Malesani," Ruggiero said.

"This is an important aspect. Malesani is happy with the prospect and it would be a dream for him. Fulham are a prestigious club and he would embrace the move."

The agent did, however, mention the USA national team boss, Bob Bradley, as a potential rival candidate and described Bradley as “a problem.”

"There is a problem though related to Bob Bradley. It depends on that. It's head to head at the moment," Ruggiero concluded.

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