Fulham

Nick Mashiter and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

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Former Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna will cost £8m if any club want to appoint him in the next 12 months.

The 40-year-old stepped down as the Tractor Boys' manager this month to spend more time with his family.

But Ipswich have protected themselves and the triple promotion-winning manager and will still bank compensation despite McKenna walking away from Portman Road.

There remains the possibility it could be negotiated down closer to next year's 1 July cut off to ensure Ipswich do not lose McKenna for free, but the current figure is £8m.

The price tag put Bournemouth off previously, before they appointed Marco Rose, while it remained a consideration for Fulham when they looked at McKenna following Marco Silva's Craven Cottage exit this month.

The former Manchester United assistant quit Ipswich despite leading them back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

He took charge of in 2021 when they were in League One and guided them to three promotions in the past four seasons, two of which have taken the club into the top flight.

McKenna, who was born in London and raised in Northern Ireland, had two years remaining on his contract at Ipswich after signing a four-year deal in 2024.

He won 105 of his 222 games in charge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gary O'Neil are candidates to replace McKenna with the club stepping up their search this week.

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27

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Fulham will kick off their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a home game against Chelsea.

The match will take place on Monday, 24 August at 20:00 BST, with the Cottagers' first away fixture against Sunderland on the weekend of 29-30 August.

They face Brighton (H), Arsenal (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Tottenham (H) over the Christmas and New Year period.

And the Whites end their league season against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, 30 May, when all games will kick off at the same time.

See Fulham's Premier League fixtures in full here

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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most. And you delivered.

Here are some of your replies:

Rob: The best was our first game in the Premier League away at Old Trafford. Even though we lost, we showed the country how good we were. There are too many to mention for the worst, especially in the dark days, but one more recently was losing 2-1 at Hull City in the Championship in 2015 - a nightmare journey and a terrible performance.

William: One of my best moments was our first taste of Premier League football. We played away to Manchester United and took the game to them before losing right at the end.

David: The best opening game was in 2022 when I was watching Fulham face Liverpool from a Greek island, as Aleksandar Mitrovic proceeded to bully their back four and show that we were ready to compete at the top level.

Hugh: The opening day of the 2012-13 season - Fulham 5-0 Norwich. I think it is the only day in my life that I've seen us top of the Premier League!

Tom: Best memory is beating Bolton 4-1 to go top of the league in 2002. Worst memory is losing to Arsenal 3-0 in 2020, knowing we were in for a tough season.

Richard: First day of the season 1996-97 v Hereford - it just felt like it was the start of something big and the whole mood changed. Then the first day of the season 2022-23 versus Liverpool - we showed we could live with the best of them and we would not stay a yo-yo team.

Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Whites' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.

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Fulham vice chairman and director of football operations, Tony Khan, says there are "exciting candidates" prepared to take over from Marco Silva.

According to Khan, Silva's departure came as a shock to the Fulham board but the club are actively working on his replacement.

"It's very important to look to the next step, being we have to bring in a new coach and it's something that we are working on," he told Fulham TV, external.

"We've been actively talking and working to find somebody to come in because as I've said, the expectation here has been for a while that Marco was going to stay.

"It's been less than two weeks now that we found out that Marco had changed his mind. He had really indicated that he wanted to stay and was planning to, but we also understand why [he is leaving].

"But I'm very positive for the future.

"There's been a lot of names mentioned in the press and it's interesting because it's going very well and there's been a few great conversations in particular, and we've got a few people that the board is talking to who are very exciting candidates.

"I have seen a lot of the press where there have been people we've been linked to, or it says they were the front-runner or there were conversations with people, and we've never talked to or never even had a conversation about."

The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.

And to get in the mood as Fulham prepare to start life without Marco Silva, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.

Get in touch with your views here

And make sure to come back to this page on Friday to see how Fulham's league fixture list has fallen.

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We asked for your views on what you make of Alvaro Arbeloa's prospective appointment. Is his lack of experience a concern? Or is he the right man to follow on from Marco Silva?

Here are some of your comments:

PC: As the club tries to pivot to a more youth-based recruitment strategy, this move makes sense. Let's hope he can take Fulham to that next level. It's a big come-down from Real Madrid though, and a risk for both parties.

Maurice: A poor choice. Unproven at a high level, and has no Premier League experience. Just a gamble, with no plan from Mr Khan.

Joel: I am excited. He's a relatively unknown manager but look at Andoni Iraola and Keith Andrews - they've done very well, and I'd never heard of them before. Arbeloa is quite attacking, apparently a good man-manager and likes to use youth, and we have a good academy to pluck from. I wasn't excited about Silva and that turned out great. I was happy with the Claudio Ranieri appointment and that turned out bad. So let's give the guy a chance. I'm quite optimistic.

Derek: Arbeloa is absolutely the wrong appointment. He will not be able to handle the less talented players in our squad and his playing style demands very quick transition, which I feel we lack the quality to achieve. His ability to succeed may rely on the club's willingness to bring in 'his type' of player. I hope I'm wrong.

Robbie: Hopefully, he will bring that Spanish flair to the banks of the Thames, which will be exciting to watch. The experience might be minimal, but if he has learned from some of the best and can bring perhaps some of the younger Spanish footballing talent with him, then I feel he has a chance. I suspect Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford fans felt apprehensive about their respective recent manager appointments, but look what they've achieved.

Jonathan: This has sacked by Christmas written all over it! This is a last-minute, panicked hire. The club (Tony Khan) has admitted they thought Silva was staying, and they had no plan B. It's shambolic.

Bob: I think he will do well. He knows the Premier League as he's played in it. Of course, going from player to manager is a big step. More on his shoulders to get it right. The team need to believe in what they are being asked to do. He needs to find out the best course to steer. Get the team to change too many draws into wins.

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Fulham are in advanced talks to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as a replacement for outgoing manager Marco Silva.

The 43-year-old has spent his entire coaching career at Madrid, working his way up from the youth teams to the interim manager position last season having replaced incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso midway through the campaign.

As a player, he had two spells at Madrid and also played in the Premier League for both Liverpool and West Ham.

What do you make of Arbeloa's prospective appointment? Is his lack of experience a concern? Or is he the right man to follow on from Silva?

Let us know here

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We asked for your views on who you think Fulham should keep, loan or sell.

Here are some of your comments:

Oliver: Keep - Jonah Kusi-Asare, as we are short of strikers. Loan - Rodrigo Muniz so he can rebuild his confidence away from the pressure of Premier League. Sell - Emile Smith Rowe, as he has not lived up to potential while Josh King has impressed.

Ali: Keep - Muniz, as without Raul Jimenez he will be aiming to cement his place in the starting XI. Jorge Cuenca, an honourable shout as well. Loan - tough, as our squad is so small. Luke Harris at the moment as we have no depth, no-one should be leaving, but maybe one of the kids like Farhaan Ali Wahid after a great season in PL2. Sell - I personally don't think we should sell anyone bar incomings, but Sasa Lukic was pretty shocking anytime he touched the football pitch this season and we should cash in on him while we can.

Rob: Keep - Luke Harris needs to given a chance. Loan - Seth Ridgeon, give him a season in the Championship - he is the future. Sell - Muniz, nice fella but can't hit a barn door.

Joel: Keep - Calvin Bassey. Power, pace and energy, and can pop up with a goal here and there. Loan - Kusi-Asare. if we make the loan permanent, be good to see him get some real minutes and see how he progresses. Sell - Joachim Andersen. Too slow, too many mistakes! Becoming a liability, sadly.

George: Keep - Cuenca should be kept. Always looks solid and provides cover in multiple positions. Loan - Steven Benda should be loaned. Continue getting experience ahead of potential number one spot following year. Sell - Smith-Rowe should be sold. Never lived up to the hope he promised, value dropping every game he plays.

Fulham and United States left-back Antonee Robinson, 28, is being viewed by Manchester United as a possible signing for next season. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about Fulham's squad.

Tell us:

• One player who has been on the fringes who should be kept and why?

• One player who should be loaned out

• One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - get in touch with your views using this form.

Fulham are interested in signing Nigeria midfielder Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan following the 27-year-old's season-long loan at Craven Cottage, but are trying to negotiate a smaller fee. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Fulham are weighing up whether to trigger the £8m release clause of Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna, who leads their list of candidates to replace Marco Silva. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Fulham remain in the hunt for Marco Silva's long-term replacement amid suggestions that Kieran McKenna is the frontrunner.

However, it is understood that any deal to appoint the Ipswich Town manager is complicated by a number of significant costs.

The first is a compensation fee, thought to be around £8m, payable to Ipswich, which would be likely to reduce Fulham's transfer budget for next season.

There are also his wage demands, which are among the highest in the Premier League, as well as the added expense of bringing in his backroom staff.

A number of BBC Sport sources believe Fulham have shown interest without making formal contact with the Suffolk club, but there are questions over whether the overall cost will prove prohibitive.

At Ipswich, there is a mixture of optimism that he will stay, but also uncertainty over the possibility that he could effectively leave if the right figures are hit.

It was a similar situation when Bournemouth opted for former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose over McKenna after Andoni Iraola announced he would leave the south coast at the end of the season.

Sources at Fulham have been approached for further clarity but have so far been cautious about outlining their managerial search.

The situation follows Silva's decision to join Portuguese side Benfica at the end of his contract at Craven Cottage, having turned down a competitive offer to remain in the role.

Meanwhile, BBC Sport has previously reported that Fulham hold some interest in Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.

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The future of Kieran McKenna was a talking point on the latest episode of The Blue Hour, a show on all things Ipswich Town from BBC Radio Suffolk.

Fans were in touch with the show over reports and rumours manager Kieran McKenna could move to Fulham., external

Michael wrote: It's not all about money, Kieran is a nice bloke and Town will have him for a few more years. His roots are established and it would be a shame to see him go. There's no chance. And he has a good chance of keeping Town in the league.

Dave offered: Why would he go to Fulham? A sideways move at best. I'd understand if it was Spurs or Manchester United. Fulham are a mid-table team. With the ambition of our owners, I can see us staying in the league for a few more years and building on that for future European challenges - just look at Sunderland. He is loved here at the club and it can only get better. At Fulham he'd have to start again and build up any momentum.

Listen to The Blue Room on BBC Sounds here

The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Cottagers selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Fulham's World Cup contingent:

• Sander Berge (Norway)

• Oscar Bobb (Norway)

• Timothy Castagne (Belgium)

• Luc de Fougerolles (Canada)

• Issa Diop (Morocco)

• Antonee Robinson (United States)

This list doesn't include Raul Jimenez (Mexico) following his release by the club.

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

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We asked for your views on Fulham's decision to release striker Raul Jimenez when his contract expires at the end of June, but offer a new deal to winger Harry Wilson.

Here are some of your replies:

Rob: Jimenez has been superb, a real favourite. It is a shame to see him go, we will miss him. Wilson won't be as much of a loss. Three months of quality out of five years won't be missed. It is a shame he couldn't have signed a one-year contract extension so we could command a fee for him.

Quinn: Jimenez has been brilliant, so my best wishes go to him. It would be great to keep Wilson. He hasn't been as 'on fire' since Wales failed to make the World Cup, but he will get his mojo back. He deserves to do whatever is best for him.

Aaron: I rate Jimenez, but I think if we are signing Ricardo Pepi from PSV then he is less needed. He is an incredible asset to the team, he is of Premier League quality and he takes a great penalty! We must keep Wilson. I'm hoping he has learned from coming from Liverpool himself and from what has happened to Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho. Going to a bigger team does not mean your career will progress or you will get much game time.

John: Here we go again - moving good committed players on and bringing players in on the last day of the transfer window!

Robert: I would've loved Jimenez to get another year as he has been fantastic for Fulham, but we do need to bring younger players into the club. Wilson is different, he is a very important player who can create a goal from nothing. However, it has to be said, the last year of his contract was the best of the five years he has been at Fulham.

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Striker Raul Jimenez is set to leave Fulham when his contract expires at the end of June - though the Whites have offered a new deal to winger Harry Wilson.

Jimenez, 35, has scored 31 goals in 115 for Fulham since joining from Wolves in 2023.

The Mexico international, who is preparing for the World Cup in North America, is one of 14 players expected to leave Craven Cottage. Others on the list with first-team experience are Steven Benda and Devan Tanton.

Wilson, 29, joined Fulham initially on loan from Liverpool in 2021 and enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 campaign, ending as the Whites' top scorer with 10 goals in 36 league games.

What do you make of Fulham's decision to let go of Jimenez? Is it the right time to end his time at the club, or could he still be a useful option up front?

Get in touch with your views here