Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has labelled former manager Mark Hughes a 'strange man' and believes his criticism of the club's ambition is 'disrespectful'.
Hughes stepped down as Fulham boss in the summer following just one season in charge after deciding not to take up the option to extend his contract.
At the weekend, Hughes suggested the club's failure to match his own ambition was the key reason behind his decision to walk away from the role.
However, Al Fayed has responded to the Welshman's comments and insists he is happy to now have Martin Jol as manager after confirming he wanted the former Tottenham boss in charge before Hughes' appointment.
"
What a strange man Mark Hughes is," said Al Fayed in an open letter. "Sacked by Manchester City, he was becoming a forgotten man when I rescued him to become manager of Fulham Football Club."Even when results were bad, I did not put pressure on him. I gave him every support - financial, moral and personal.
"He fully negotiated a two-year extension to his contract. On the day he was due to sign, he walked out without the courtesy of a proper explanation.
"And now he insults the club, saying it lacks ambition, and the players who delivered an eighth position finish last season and a place in the Europa League.
"He is not just disrespectful but entirely wrong.
"Fulham has just announced plans for a splendid new riverside stand that will substantially increase the capacity of Craven Cottage.
"In every aspect of its work, Fulham is a progressive club with a top manager in Martin Jol, the man we had really wanted when Hughes was appointed.
"We shall endeavour to prosper without him simply because, when the challenge came, it was not the club but Mark Hughes who lacked the courage and ambition to take on the task of leadership.
"If people are looking for a flop, they only have to look no further than the man who has lost his spark."
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