Coleman out as Fulham put Sanchez in hot-seat

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed took the decision to dismiss Coleman after supporters called for him to be axed during the club's 3-1 home defeat by Manchester City on Monday.

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Fulham are now without a win in seven Premiership games and are four points off the drop zone in 15th place. They have played one more game than their relegation rivals and it is understood Al Fayed believes the club would have been gone down under Coleman.

He became one of the youngest-ever Premiership managers when, aged 32, he took over from Jean Tigana four years ago after a spell as caretaker. Fulham's coaching staff, including Coleman's assistant Steve Kean and goalkeeper coach Dave Beasant, have also been sacked as the club attempt to stave off the financially damaging threat of relegation just when the money from a raft of new television deals is flooding into the top flight.

A statement released on the Fulham website read: "Chris Coleman has provided a fantastic service during his 10 years at the club and it is disappointing that the club has no alternative but to part company.

"As a team and organisation, Fulham Football Club has goals to attain and success to achieve and by no means can this be compromised."

Former Wales defender Coleman took charge after only five games as caretaker, during which he made sure the spectre of relegation was banished.

He started his playing career at Manchester City but made his name at his hometown club Swansea City where he made more than 150 first team appearances. He moved to Crystal Palace in 1990 and to Blackburn four years later for £2.8million.

He won 32 caps and scored four goals for his country and joined Fulham in 1997 in a club record £2.1million move. But injuries suffered in an horrific car crash in 2001 led to his retirement less then two years later.

Coleman guided the London club to their highest ever League finish of ninth in the Premiership in 2003- 04, when they had been tipped for relegation.

He secured a 12th-place finish last year and at Christmas they once again looked set for a comfortable mid-table berth. But their last win was against Newcastle in early February and since a 4-0 FA Cup exit at home to Tottenham their Premiership form has plunged into dramatic decline.

In February he was fined £2,500 by the FA after admitting verbally abusing an official after the 1-1 Premiership draw with Spurs.

On a personal level, he was recently embarrassed by allegations that surveillance equipment worth £2,000 had been installed in his Range Rover at the instruction of his wife, Belinda, because she suspected he was cheating on her.

Sanchez, who masterminded Northern Ireland's 1-0 victory over England in September 2005 will be offered the job full time if he keeps Fulham in the Premiership.

Despite Northern Ireland's limited squad, Sanchez has guided the country to notable victories over Spain and Sweden in their Euro 2008 group and they are on the verge of qualifying for their first major tournament since the 1982 World Cup Finals.

Sanchez made his name as a player with Wimbledon and he scored the winning goal against Liverpool in the 1988 FA cup Final. He has since earned a reputation as a manager.

He guided Wycombe, then in the third tier of English football, to an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool before leaving the club to take over as Northern Ireland coach.

He has been waiting for the chance to test himself in the Premiership and last night he was handed that chance when Al Fayed called him in to perform a rescue act.