Reading boss Steve Clarke explains U-turn after Fulham talks

Steve Clarke rejected the chance to become Fulham manager because staying at Reading was the “best option by a mile”.

Clarke looked set to take over Fulham after being given permission to speak to the club but he made a U-turn after failing to agree terms.

He said: “It has been a strange week but I have made the right decision. When a club is prepared to pay a substantial amount of money to speak to me, then it is something I have got to look at.

“I had a good conversation with Fulham and decided that what I had here was better for me.”

Fulham and Reading had agreed a compensation package but Clarke now expects to see out the remaining 18 months of his contract at Madejski Stadium. Alan Curbishley is expected to take charge of Fulham at MK Dons tomorrow.