Fulham have sacked Claudio Ranieri as manager after a little over three months in charge.

The Italian won just 12 points in 16 games after taking over, leaving the club second from bottom and 10 points from safety with just 10 games to go.

In a statement, the struggling English Premier League (EPL) club named Scott Parker as caretaker manager.

Ranieri led Leicester City FC to the EPL title in 2016.

Ranieri had been advertised as a “risk-free” appointment by Shahid Khan. Unhappy Fulham supporters unfurled a banner at Southampton that read, “Risk free? Are you watching Tony Khan?”

Speaking on Ranieri’s sack, Shahid Khan, the Fulham chairman and Tony’s father, said

“Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone.

“No surprise to me, Claudio was a perfect gentleman, as always. Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today.

“Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our club to nine points in his first eight matches as manager. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon.”

Ranieri said:

“I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment. Finally, I would like to thank the club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me.”