Ranieri hopes to turn Fulham into fighters with burgers as rewards

Ranieri is confident of securing Premier League survival with Fulham by turning his players into fighters. Credit: PA

Claudio Ranieri is confident of securing Premier League survival with Fulham by turning his players into fighters - and rewarding them with burgers, not pizza.

The 67-year-old was on Wednesday appointed Fulham boss, as owner Shahid Khan sacked Slavisa Jokanovic with the Cottagers bottom of the Premier League and beaten in each of their last seven games in all competitions.

Ranieri offered his Leicester players the incentive of free pizza if they did not concede at the start of their memorable title-winning season in 2015-16.

"Pizza is not enough now," Ranieri said at his unveiling on Friday.

"I have to promise something more. It's better (to take) everybody to McDonald's. I hope to pay for a McDonald's Big Burger very soon."

The 67-year-old was on Wednesday appointed Fulham boss, as owner Shahid Khan sacked Slavisa Jokanovic. Credit: PA

The affable Italian insists the Cottagers, without a win in seven games in all competitions and bottom of the table after 12 league games, can survive - the one task he has been given by Khan.

He added: "I believe. I am mad, but not stupid. I believe.

"I look always forward. I'm an ambitious man. I believe I have good players.

"Now I have to choose players who show me fighting spirit. With quality, fighting spirit and unity, the players help each other.

"I try to improve the fighting spirit of all my players. They have to show me this: heart. Our family is on the pitch.

"They must think this. We have to save our family. Show me, how do you want to save your family? It's clear, very easy."