Curbishley admits he is out of the running for Fulham job

Curbishley was thought to be among the front-runners (GETTY IMAGES)

Alan Curbishley feels he is unlikely to be offered the chance to return to Premier League management with Fulham. The former Charlton and West Ham manager was touted as an early favourite to replace Roy Hodgson after he joined Liverpool, but it now appears both Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes are more likely candidates for the vacancy at Craven Cottage.

Curbishley left Upton Park in September 2008 after falling out with the then Icelandic owners over the sale of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to Sunderland against his wishes, and subsequently won a case for constructive dismissal, which included damages reported to be more than £2m.

However, Curbishley – who performed wonders during his 15-year stint at Charlton and was interviewed for the England job in 2006 – admits he is now unsure when he will return to the game.

"I was told I was on the [Fulham] shortlist but that there were a couple of people ahead of me, so I knew that was going nowhere," Curbishley said. "I have got to wait and see if the phone rings. If you look at my career, my average position in the Premier League is 10th, so that is where I need to be looking.

"No offence to anyone else, but the Premier League is where everyone wants to be. I will maybe have to reposition myself. Who knows? Start over again, if I have to.

"It [West Ham] has damaged me a bit, because I have been out for a while, and it is hard to come back if you are away for too long."

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of teenage defender Tomas Kalas from Czech Republic side Sigma Olomouc. However the 17-year-old centre-back will not be joining for a further year, after being loaned back to Olomouc.

The talented youngster has impressed many clubs across Europe but Chelsea moved swiftly to land him. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. Reports in the Czech Republic claim Olomouc could earn around £5m from the sale of the player but Chelsea have not confirmed the figure.