Hangeland quashes Reds rumours

Hangeland quashes Reds rumours

Published Jul. 16, 2010 9:11 a.m. ET

The Cottagers centre-half has seen his future become the subject of intense speculation ever since the 2009/10 campaign came to a close. It was initially suggested that Arsenal were keen to take the towering Norwegian across the capital, with Arsene Wenger looking to shore up his defensive unit. Such talk has died down, but Hangeland's future continues to make the headlines. The departure of Roy Hodgson to the managerial hot-seat at Liverpool has fuelled speculation that he will look to raid his former employers this summer, with Hangeland top of his wish list. The player himself has sought to curb the rumours, though, and insists he would be more than happy to remain at Craven Cottage under a new coach, whoever that may be. "There's always speculation about players moving to clubs, and I would be lying if I didn't say I prefer it when people think I've done better than the opposite," Hangeland said in the Fulham Chronicle. "But the more years I play, the more I learn to ignore speculation and keep my head down. "I'm confident I'm good enough to play under another manager. "If we hadn't been in Europe last season I think we would have finished higher, and we can put more focus on the league and go even higher this time. "I'd love to see all the players stay, and even one or two more coming in, and then we'll look even stronger." Hangeland admits he was sad to see Hodgson lured away to Anfield, having shone under the experienced coach during his time with the Cottagers, but accepts that change is part and parcel of modern football. He added: "Of course we were disappointed to see Roy go, but to be honest I wasn't very surprised. "He deserves to go to a bigger club and we've been lucky to have him for two-and-a-half years. "The organisation at Fulham is very good, we have a good working unit, and hopefully if we get the right new manager, we'll keep going."

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