Jokanovic confirms behind-the-scenes tensions at Fulham

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has criticised the club’s transfer policy, confirming there are differences of opinion behind the scenes at Craven Cottage.

West London Sport revealed this week that Jovanovic is at odds with the Fulham hierarchy over the club’s transfer policy.

He feels he has missed out on a number of players and that the club are being slow to pursue his more recent recommendations, such as Blackburn winger Ben Marshall.

The Serb told BBC Radio London that Craig Kline, a data analyst at Fulham, is ultimately responsible for signings.

“It generally depends on this guy [Kline] who is going to sign for us or not,” Jokanovic said.

“The last decision is in the hands of this man. It is not my business.”

Chief football officer Mike Rigg, whose previous clubs include QPR, has overall control of the club’s dealings, with Kline responsible for assessing potential signings based on statistical data.

“I’m a little bit disappointed because no one knows who this guy [Kline] is,” Jokanovic said. “Instead he’s sitting in the directors box.

“I want to take responsibility for how I work with my team and how they perform, but I am not part of the recruitment business. It is in the hands of people who believe they’re more prepared.”

Speaking after Fulham’s draw at home to Cardiff, Jokanovic added: “I’ve lost many players in this process in nine months. In the last two days I lost a few players who he (Kline) believes are not good enough.

“I had an opinion from one of the best managers in the world on one of the players and he believes it is a good signing for us, and I believe that too.

“Craig doesn’t believe it is a good signing for us and this guy is not with us.”