Giggs: Senior stars back Moyes

Giggs: Senior stars back Moyes

Published May. 18, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

Experienced midfielders Giorgos Karagounis and Simon Davies are set to leave Fulham this summer.

The contracts for both midfielders are due to expire at the end of the season, and they are not being offered fresh deals.

The 36-year-old Karagounis joined the club on a free transfer in September and has played over 20 league games, becoming a firm fans' favourite.

"It is most likely that Sunday will be the last game that Giorgos will play for Fulham," his agent, Paschalis Tountouris, told Goal.

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"He's had a terrific year and the Premier league was a great experience. There would be options for him to stay in England and would consider any challenges that may be available.

"It's very good that the fans of Fulham have recognised his contributions this season to vote him as the second best player and he will always have them in his heart."

Davies, 33, is moving on after six successful seasons at Craven Cottage which have seen him play over 150 games - but recently he has been dogged by injury.

"The thing with Simon is as long as I was here he was never fully-fit for more than two or three weeks, and that's a problem," said Fulham boss Martin Jol.

"When he was fit he was a wonderful player but if he's not fit we've got a problem, so we've got to sit down with him and talk about it.

"We will look after Simon and, of course, he can stay here as long as he needs to get fit, but it's about him as well. He has to make his mind up about his own fitness and if he wants to play again."

Fulham have already moved to bring in new midfield reinforcements as they are set to confirm the signing of Ghana international Derek Boateng on a free transfer.

Austria international Pogatetz joined from German side Wolfsburg during January's transfer window on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Pogatetz has made only a handful of appearances with the Hammers though, mainly as a substitute, and Allardyce has decided he will not be looking to retain the 30-year-old.

Allardyce said ahead of West Ham's final Premier League match at home to Reading on Sunday, according to the London club's Twitter account:

"We've already said to Pogatetz thanks very much, he's been a fantastic professional but it won't be extended, and we'll decide on the others after the game."

The Scot will bow out at the end of the season after picking up 38 trophies during his 27-year stint at United, to be replaced by Moyes who will leave Everton after 11 years at Goodison Park.

And Giggs believes replacing Ferguson could be just as intimidating as the challenge his current boss faced when he replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986.

"Maybe it is," Giggs told the Daily Telegraph. "But we have a really good bunch of lads in the dressing room and, whenever the manager needs help, the more experienced players will help. That has been the norm, ever since I have been in the club.

"What David Moyes is coming into is a good atmosphere, a really good bunch of lads, very good players and a really strong squad, so it is a strong position to be in. But the downside is that you have to follow the most successful manager that has ever lived.

"Managers usually go into clubs when things aren't going great, but this team isn't on a downward spiral, so I don't know if that makes it harder or easier for David."

However experience in the Premier League at Everton means Moyes is no stranger at United.

"No, he isn't, and he is coming here with great respect for what he has done at Everton," Giggs said. "He has done a brilliant job there and that is evident whenever you play against his teams because it is never easy against them.

"Some of our former players have gone to Everton and been really successful, like Tim Howard and Phil Neville, and what they have said is that he works you hard and expects you to work hard and perform. He sets really high standards, but that is nothing different to what we are used to."

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