Fulham have confirmed Slavisa Jokanovic has been sacked as manager and will be replaced by Claudio Ranieri.

Despite leading Fulham to promotion last season, Jokanovic's team have struggled in the Premier League. The Cottagers lie bottom of the table with five points from 12 games.

Ranieri led Leicester City to their improbable 2015/16 title win before being sacked the following season. He takes over at Craven Cottage with immediate effect.

He said in a statement posted on the club's website: "It is an honour to accept Mr. Khan's invitation and opportunity to lead Fulham, a fantastic club with tradition and history.

"The objective at Fulham should never be to merely survive in the Premier League. We must at all times be a difficult opponent and should expect to succeed.

"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table. I know this team is very capable of better performances, which we will work on straight away as we prepare for Southampton at the Cottage."

Owner and Chairman Shahid Khan thanked Jokanovic for his service: "I wasn't anticipating having to make this announcement related to Slaviša and wish the circumstances were such that I didn't have to, but our path this season has led me to make what I know is the correct decision, at the right time, for our players, the Club and our supporters.

"Slaviša will always have my appreciation and respect for everything he did to return Fulham to top-flight football. I am hoping everyone in the Fulham Family shares my heartfelt sentiments for Slaviša and joins me in wishing him success and good fortune, wherever his next stop may be."