Cantona was first choice at Fulham

Eric Cantona was approached to become manager of Fulham before Jean Tigana took over, chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has revealed.

Fayed told the BBC's On Side how Cantona, the controversial former Leeds and Manchester United forward, spent a few days at Craven Cottage before the chairman decided to go for the more experienced Jean Tigana.

Tigana's side now lie 16 points clear of second-placed Blackburn in the First Division. Al Fayed underlined his ambition, stating he had already spent £80mil-lion on rebuilding the club and adding that there is more to come.

"I will leave it all the manager," he said. "If he comes to me and says he needs £5m or £10m for a player I will give it to him. I trust him."

That promise could be upheld today as Fulham finalised a deal to buy Czech striker Jan Koller for £8m. The 6ft 7in Anderlecht forward is ready to sign a four-year contract worth £18,000 a week.