Franco Baresi, the former Italy and Milan defender, was appointed Fulham's director of football yesterday in a surprise move which could see him take over as manager from Jean Tigana in 12 months' time.
Tigana's contract expires at the end of next season and, though he has the option of a further two years, his former France colleague Michel Platini said a few months ago that Tigana had told him he intends to quit. Baresi would be the obvious candidate.
"I won't be coach for at least the first year," Baresi told Milan's website yesterday. "The current coach, Tigana, will remain in his post and my eventual takeover will be up to Mohamed Al Fayed."
The Italian's immediate concerns include scouting and the recruitment of players. Fulham stressed that his arrival on June 1st would not affect the position of Tigana or assistant manager Christian Damiano. It is believed Tigana will also be consulted on all transfers.
Baresi was lured from his post as vice-president at Milan, for whom played more than 750 times, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. That was a largely honorary role which carried little responsibility and Fulham's offer appealed to him.
Tigana has yet to confirm to Fulham whether he will stay beyond next season but Baresi must hope to take over when the Frenchman departs. He speaks almost no English but has a chance to get to grips with the language and demands of the Premiership.
The former Italy captain will be based in London and his job also involves overseeing Fulham's academy and development of women's football. He is understood to have been keen to get more involved in day-to-day issues - and ultimately coaching - than at Milan.
Fulham's chairman Mohamed Al Fayed sounded delighted to have successfully concluded secret negotiations which began with an approach a couple of months ago. "This is the next step in realising my dream of making Fulham one of the foremost clubs in the world," he said.
Tigana is understood to have supported the arrival of a big-name, knowledgable director of football, feeling it would enable him to devote more time to his greatest love, working with the first team.
Baresi, Tigana and Damiano sat down together in London yesterday and a source said the meeting was warm and amicable.
English Premiership chiefs have, meanwhile, reiterated their decision to bar any move by the Old Firm to join the English top flight. Both Celtic and Rangers are keen on a move to England and have held initial discussions with English League officials as a possible option as a stepping stone to the English top flight.
But a spokesman said: "There is simply no necessity to tamper with the make-up of Europe."
He added: "There are also issues about security. Rangers and Celtic do attract a certain element of support which some clubs would not welcome back into the English game."
The turf at Wembley Stadium could be relaid and the twin towers given a coat of paint if the long-delayed plan to rebuild the stadium is shelved, British MPs were told yesterday.
The FA made it clear that if the £715m redevelopment plan fell through Birmingham would not be considered as an option and that the existing stadium would be revamped. However, a spokesman for Wembley National Stadium Ltd said: "I can understand people's theoretical interest (in the stadium reopening) but frankly we've never been closer to knocking it down."
