Sanchez & Fulham Part Company

Lawrie Sanchez has been relieved of his position, a statement from the club has just confirmed.Sanchez left the Northern Ireland job in May to take over at Fulham full time - after saving the club from relegation in his one month stint at the end of last season.However, this season has not gone to plan, and with the risk of relegation very real, the club decided that a change was the only way forward.

Says the club statement:"Fulham Football Club today announced its decision to replace Lawrie Sanchez as Manager of the club with immediate effect.Ray Lewington and Billy McKinlay will be in charge of the team whilst a search for a permanent replacement takes place.Following a run of disappointing results the Club is languishing in the relegation zone of the Premier League table, and losing its Premiership status is a proposition that simply can not be contemplated at this stage in the Club’s on-going development.The Club is confident that it will find the right replacement to increase its chances of remaining in the Premiership, which is of vital importance.The Club would like to thank Lawrie for helping the Club through a difficult period at the end of last season, and thank him for his service over the last eight months."

Former Fulham favourite John Collins, who quit as Hibs boss yesterday, is said to be among the favourites. He remains a friend of owner Mohamed Al Fayed after playing for the Cottagers from 2000 to 2003.