What do Fulham’s personnel changes mean for their future?

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On February 23, Fulham fans rejoiced when manager Slavisa Jokanovic finally signed a new contract to remain at Craven Cottage for two more years. On the surface, this was an excellent outcome for Fulham. Jokanovic has revitalized a previously listless team and transformed the Whites into genuine promotion contenders while playing beautiful football along the way.

Yet many supporters may have missed out the announcements earlier that day solidifying the place of Tony Khan and his associates at Craven Cottage. Buried under the extension of Jokanovic was the confirmation of Fulham’s focus on statistical recruitment; a decision that has proved controversial with Jokanovic himself.

Over the past year, Jokanovic has publicly clashed with a man named Craig Kline constantly. Kline is a personal university friend of Vice Chairman Tony Khan, chairman Shahid Khan’s son. Kline is an American data analyst who works for Tony’s company TruMedia, which specializes in “sports analytics solutions for leagues, franchises, and media partners across the sports industry,” according to fulhamfc.com.

In August 2016, during Fulham’s impressive start to the 2016/17 Championship season, Jokanovic publicly aired his grievances with the club’s transfer policy, and in particular, with Kline.

Jokanovic held little back, unleashing a biting attack on Craig Kline, who was depicted as a shady figure who made transfer decisions while Jokanovic was kept in the cold.

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

“The last decision is in the hands of this man. It is not my business.I’m a little bit disappointed because no one knows who this guy [Kline] is,” Jokanovic added.

Furthermore, Jokanovic added he had targeted a player (later known to be Manchester United youngster Andreas Pereira) on loan, yet had Kline reject the move on a statistical basis.

Clearly, Jokanovic and Kline have had their issues. Jokanovic was angered that an outsider without his intricate footballing knowledge could easily overrule him; this animosity actually led to Kline being exiled last winter. 

Given their checkered history, the joint announcements on February 23rd were even more eye-catching. Hours before Jokanovic pledged his support to Fulham and called the Whites a “fantastic Club full of history and tradition,” Craig Kline was appointed Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research.

Kline now has a permanent and official role at the club and will report directly to Tony Khan, the new Vice Chairman. Tony Khan has also championed a statistical approach to transfers, and in his role as Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations, will look to implement the statistical model at Fulham.

In the end, it is yet to be seen who will prevail in the battle of contrasting viewpoints behind the scenes at Fulham. Yet with the appointment of Khan and Kline, Fulham looks set to embark on a statistical-based recruiting mission for the foreseeable future; one that may be at odds with Slavisa Jokanovic.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by dan.westwell