According to reports in the English press, Fulham boss Jean Tigana will leave the club before the end of theseason.

The Frenchman, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is currently negotiating a pay-off according to a report in The Mirror.

There as been much speculation about Tigana’s future in recent months, with the manager allegedly at loggerheads with Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed. The former Monaco coach has refused to commit himself to a new contract, despite his current deal expiring in the summer.

Tigana helped Fulham win promotion to the Premier League, in his first season in charge and then reached the FA Cup semi-finals before taking Fulham into the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup this season.

If Tigana does, his assistant Christian Damiano is expected to go with him. And the worry among Fulham supporters is that Tigana’s exit could spark an exodus of French stars including internationals Steve Marlet and Steed Malbranque.