Rene Meulensteen joins Fulham as Head Coach
by Jack Kitson / 13 November 2013, 14:03Tweet
Yet another Crystal Palace target has gone astray as Dutchman Rene Meulensteen has instead chosen to join their London rivals Fulham as Head Coach working alongside manager Martin Jol.
Sir Alex Ferguson's former first team coach at Man Utd had only just re-emerged as the favourite for the Palace job after Aitor Karanka decided to take charge of Championship side Middlesbrough instead. However, in a further twist Meulensteen has opted to take up the position at the 18th-placed Cottagers who are six points and two places above the rock-bottom Eagles.
It represents a significant coup for Fulham as Meulensteen has been in-demand ever since leaving Russian side FC Anzhi Makhachkala earlier this season. In fact the 49-year-old had been linked with a coaching role at the Cottagers in October but nothing ever materialised. He has previously taken charge of sides in Qatar, along with Danish outfit Brondby, although he is widely known for his coaching work at United.
Meanwhile former Chelsea player Dan Petrescu has now been installed as the surprise bookmakers favourite for the Crystal Palace Job. Other contenders for the vacancy include Chris Coleman, Karl Robinson and Tony Pulis.
