Antti Niemi

ANTTI NIEMI sorry for sacking Chris Coleman, insisting: “He was a magnificent boss.”
Coleman got the chop on Tuesday following his side’s slip into the relegation dogfight. He was replaced by Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez.

Keeper Niemi, 34, said: “Our recent run of bad results wasn’t down to him. It is us players who have to look at ourselves and say we haven’t been good enough of late.

“I know it has been a struggle in recent weeks for us. But I never thought I’d see a time where Chris Coleman was sacked.

“He has been nothing short of magnificent as boss of this club and I hope people will remember him for all the good things he has done for us.

“Cookie worked wonders for Fulham and, considering the size of this club, when you judge him you have to say he was fantastic over a long period.

“I reckon he will have no problems finding a new team to manage, if that’s what he wants.”

Fulham owner Mohamed Fayed sacked Coleman after a dismal run which has seen the side slump to within four points of the Premiership drop zone.

But Niemi added: “I don’t think we are doomed at all. We still have a cushion and feel confident of getting ourselves safe.

“Now we must all try and re-focus for Lawrie Sanchez.

"We have to take what he says on board and get those final few points we need to stay up as soon as we can.”