MURPHY LINKED TO BLACKBURN RETURN

The former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy has been linked with a return to Craven cottage after his Blackburn Rovers future has been thrown into doubt.

The 35-year-old became an influential player for Fulham even though he was past his prime. However, the arrival of the Dutchman Martin Jol signalled an end to the Fulham career for Murphy. He then completed a move to Blackburn Rovers, who are playing in the Championship after relegation last season. Even though Murphy was one of the influential players for the club during the first half of the season, the new manager Michael Appleton has said that Murphy does not figure in his plans.

Murphy has also been stripped of the captaincy at Ewood Park. There have also been reports that Murphy could be set for a return to Craven cottage, but as a coach.

However, Jol has confirmed that Murphy cannot be part of his coaching setup because the midfielder does not have his badges yet. Jol prepares to face his former club Tottenham during the weekend. This could be one of the best times to face Tottenham, as the third placed team in the Premier league come on the back of two consecutive defeats. They were defeated by Liverpool in the Premier league, which was followed by a defeat in the Europa league against Inter Milan.

“In England, 10 years ago you could get your coaching licence from the supermarket with your bacon and your beans. Now you have to do your courses, so I don’t see that happening because in England it is quite firm. So no, I don’t see that happening. We haven’t thought about it and we haven’t spoken about it. I don’t even know what he wants. He is at Blackburn. It was his decision to go there. So maybe he will be a coach at Blackburn, I don’t know,” said Jol.