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LONDON -- Fulham fired manager Rene Meulensteen and appointed Felix Magath on Friday, saying "action was required" in its bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Magath, who has won three Bundesliga titles as a coach, signed an 18-month contract, the London club said in a statement. The German has a reputation for brutal training and fitness methods. His nicknames include "Torturer" and "Saddam." Fulhams statement failed to mention Meulensteen at all, but he later said he had been relieved of his duties after less than three months in the job. "They have hit the panic button on emotion and fear -- but hey ho, thats football," Meulensteen told the BBC. The firing came as a shock to many because the Dutchman appeared to be turning things around, getting a result against Manchester United and putting in a good effort against Liverpool despite losing in the last minute. But it wasnt enough for Fulham owner and chairman Shahid Khan. "Our club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we have not won a league match since Jan. 1," Khan said. "Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required." The club is bottom of the table with 20 points from 26 matches. Magath has vast Bundesliga coaching experience, guiding Bayern Munich to back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, and lifting the league trophy again with Wolfsburg in 2009. He has also coached other German teams, including Hamburg and Schalke. But he has never managed in the Premier League. The 60-year-old Magath recently ruled out becoming coach again at Hamburg, which is in its own relegation battle and which he led to European glory as a player. He hasnt coached since leaving Wolfsburg in October 2012. "Here we go again. Im coming back into football," Magath said on his Facebook account. "I am manager of Fulham with immediate effect. Its a fantastic working environment for any coach and footballer." Khan welcomed the Germans experience, saying he had faith Magath could lift Fulham out of the relegation zone. "Im especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond," Khan said. "Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity." Fulham said it would make an announcement soon about the clubs backroom staff. The teams next match is Saturday at West Bromwich Albion, which sits four points above the Cottagers in 17th place. Meulensteen, who previously worked under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, was hired as Fulham manager after Martin Jol was sacked on Dec. 1. "I knew the owners were freaking out a little bit that there was the possibility of the club going down," Meulensteen told the BBC. "The way forward that we have discussed with the club was about longevity and in this case it is clearly an act of fear." Fulham held United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the team was beaten by a late penalty in a 3-2 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday at Craven Cottage. "I have not had a lot of time and people who came to the Manchester United and Liverpool games could see what I was trying to put in place," Meulensteen said. "I couldnt care less what they put in the statement, to be honest." USA Soccer Gear . -- Golden State Warriors reserve centre Ognjen Kuzmic is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured right hand. USA Soccer Pro Shop https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers. USA Soccer Jerseys 2019 .com) - Delon Wright scored 17 points and No. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . In the last race before the Sochi Olympics, Bjoergen followed up her win in the 10-kilometre classical race on Saturday by beating World Cup sprint leader Denise Herrmann of Germany by 0.43 seconds for her fifth victory of the season.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Starting isnt an issue for New York Giants running back Andre Brown. After spending the last 10 weeks on recallable injured reserve with a second broken leg in less than a year, all Brown cares about is playing against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. "Sitting out this long, as long as I go in there and make a play or two, thats what I am looking forward to," Brown said Wednesday after practice. "Its not about starting. Its just about being back out there, especially coming from where I came from: the humble beginnings and breaking (the leg) and going through this adversity again and coming back. Its a surreal moment to go out and play football again." Brown has not had the easiest career in the NFL. The five-year veteran has had a career marked by injuries and a nomadic journey from team to team. He finally seemed to catch on last year with the Giants, scoring eight touchdowns in 10 games, playing mostly in passing and goal-line situations. Unfortunately, he broke his left fibula in late November and broke it again in the same spot in the preseason finale against New England. "The doctors said the odds of being hit in the same spot and breaking it again were just crazy," Brown said. The leg has healed and Brown had been practicing for the past two weeks. He fully expects to play Sunday and he cant hide his excitement. He wants the ball handed to him. He wants to feel the thud of getting popped. He wants to hit someone. He wants to play football again for a team that a couple of weeks ago didnt have a starting halfback because of injuries. "I am ready to roll," Brown said. "I am pretty sure they are going to switch us in and out to make sure I have my wind. Its not about the leg. Its about me getting back in football shape, which I am in, but getting used to contact and seeing how that goes." Coach Tom Coughlin indicated Brown will have a role. "Im looking forward to the return of that player, quite frankly," Coughlin said. "Size, speed, he can catch the ball out of thhe backfield, he does a good job in pass protection.dddddddddddd You sometimes forget that the guy is 230 pounds. Thats a little bit of a different dimension." Coming off a bye, the Giants have three potential starters with Brandon Jacobs healthy and Peyton Hillis. Hillis seemingly is more in shape after coming in off the street and carrying the brunt of the running attack with David Wilson (neck) and Jacobs (hamstring) sidelined. Coughlin joked about Browns role when pressed about how much he would be able to do, saying he envisions Brown would carry the ball 40 times, catch 15 passes and return kickoffs. Brown didnt know what to make of Coughlins comment until being told the coach was being sarcastic. "Whew," said a relieved Brown, who plans to wear a small shin guard on his leg. Doctors have said hell have to wear it the rest of his career. Having Brown back in the lineup should help the offence, which didnt score a touchdown in the 15-7 win over Philadelphia before the bye. Josh Brown kicked five field goals. "Its a great tribute to Andre the way he has worked to come back from these injuries," quarterback Eli Manning said. "I know it has been frustrating for him, but he has done a great job of staying positive. The team has supported him and had his back. Hopefully, hell come back and help us out." Brown said the keys for him will be to hold onto the ball and make sure he makes his blocks in passing situations. "Its going to be fun. I just cant wait," Brown said. "I havent been getting too much sleep because its like Christmas. Im just really looking forward to going back out there and playing." NOTES: G Chris Snee got off crutches Wednesday, three weeks after hip surgery, his second in a year. ...WR Victor Cruz (neck) expects to practice Thursday after being held out as a precaution. ...DE Jason Pierre-Paul said he now feels the best he has since having back surgery in June, noting hes 90 per cent. ___ AP NFL website: —www.pro32.ap.org ' ' '