Alan Curbishley a 'perfect fit' for Fulham job, says Tony Gale

Sky Sports pundit Tony Gale has backed Alan Curbishley to become the next permanent manager of Fulham.

The former Charlton and West Ham boss is currently in charge of first-team duties at Craven Cottage, following the sacking of Kit Symons last weekend.

Gale told Sky Sports Now  that Curbishley would be the "perfect fit" for the Londoners, but admits the owners are likely to look elsewhere.

"Alan is as good as anyone. He took the training on Monday morning," said Gale. "This is the type of guy you need. He has been out of the game a while, in terms of being a manager, but he knows people.

"For me it would be a perfect fit, but you sense they will go elsewhere. They do not want a manager, they want a coach."

Curbishley has previously refused to rule himself out of the running for the Craven Cottage vacancy, describing it as an "attractive job".

Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the bookmakers favourite to replace Symons having taken his side to second place in the League One table after winning promotion last season.

Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, in the running to succeed Chris Ramsey at Queens Park Rangers, is another hotly tipped to be the next Fulham boss.

But Gale, who played 277 times for the Whites between 1977 and 1984, believes Curbishley would have a good effect on the players.

"I would go for Alan as he knows what's in and around the club," he said. "He would be a good impact manager. But if they are going long-term then they may not choose him."

Fulham sacked Symons following a 5-2 home defeat to Birmingham City that left the club 12th in the Championship table, eight points off a play-off place.

Gale also admits the Welshman's sacking was very harsh, adding: "There was a huge overhaul of players at the start of the season with 10 players in.

"It was a little bit quick for me. I don't like the way it's being done. He got them out of a bit of turmoil. I mean the previous manager [Felix Magath] was a disaster, and put them back about two years."

Fulham are aiming to appoint a new manager before their next Championship game at MK Dons on November 21.