Jokanovic takes over as Fulham boss

Fulham have appointed Slavisa Jokanovic as their new head coach.

The 47-year-old Serb, who spent two years at Chelsea as a player and led Watford to promotion to the Premier League last season, has left Maccabi Tel Aviv to take over at Craven Cottage.

He was appointed by the Israeli club in June and this season guided them to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Fulham, who had been without a manager since Kit Symons’ sacking early last month, have paid Maccabi around £367,000 in compensation.

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said he had personally interviewed “many quality candidates for what we considered to be one of the best positions in football”.

Khan added: “Slavisa’s credentials and passion for the job rose to the top through every stage of this process, and we cannot wait to welcome him to (Fulham’s training ground) Motspur Park and Craven Cottage.”

Jokanovic, who was at Chelsea between 2000 and 2002, takes over with Fulham 18th in the Championship table.

He left Watford at the end of last season after negotiations to extend his contract broke down.