Al Fayed - Hodgson is committed

Hodgson: Backed by Al Fayed

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Mohamed Al Fayed has admitted he cannot understand the speculation surrounding manager Roy Hodgson's future.

Hodgson took charge of Fulham at the end of 2007 and successfully steered the club away from the relegation zone before securing European qualification the following season.

However, his good work has not gone unnoticed and Sweden and Norway were both interested in appointing him last month.

The fact that Hodgson has yet to open talks with the club over a new deal has fuelled rumours about how long he will remain at Craven Cottage, even though he claims he would be happy to stay.

Al Fayed has no doubts about Hodgson's commitment and is ready to discuss a new contract at an appropriate time.

"I can't stop speculation within the media about certain subjects that they enjoy trying to mischief make with," Fulham's owner told Soccernet. "Roy is committed to Fulham, and I have shown my support of him throughout.

"I have invested in his squad and supported him in all playing decisions, proving that I have belief in his ability and his future here.

"Quite simply, we have not sat down and discussed a longer-term strategy yet, nothing more sinister than that, but this for some reason has caused speculation in the press which I can't control and do not appreciate.

"We have important matches to concentrate on, and when the time is right those conversations will of course take place."