Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed has criticised former boss Mark Hughes, calling the Welsh coach 'an odd man' and stating he has lost his spark.

Hughes surprisingly left Craven Cottage in the summer after stating he was not happy at the club, and recently slated the London outfit for lack of ambition.

The Egyptian businessman has hit back however in damning fashion.

"What a strange man Mark Hughes is," an open letter revealed in The Telegraph reads.

"Sacked by Manchester City, he was becoming a forgotten man when I rescued him to become manager of Fulham Football Club.

''Even when results were bad, I did not put pressure on him. I gave him every support – financial, moral and personal. He received everything he asked for and more.

''He fully negotiated a two-year extension to his contract.

''On the day he was due to sign, he walked out without the courtesy of a proper explanation for such capricious and potentially damaging conduct.

''And now he insults the club that saved his career, claiming it lacks ambition and he insults the players as too old, even though they delivered an eighth position finish last season and a place in the Europa League.

''He is not just disrespectful but entirely wrong.

''Fulham has just announced plans for a splendid new riverside stand that will substantially increase the capacity of Craven Cottage.

''The playing squad has been strengthened with many fine young players and Fulham is progressing in every way, with an outstanding manager in Martin Jol, the man we really wanted when Hughes was appointed.

''Fulham will endeavour to prosper without him simply because, when the challenge came, Mark Hughes lacked the courage and commitment to take on the task of leadership.

''If people are looking for a flop, they only have to no further than the man who has lost his spark.

"If ever there was a man [who] lost his spark, I fear it is Mark. I would feel sorry for him had he not acted so dishonourably," it concluded.

Hughes has been out of the game since leaving the Cottagers in the summer, but is one of the favourites for the vacant Leicester City post.

By Gareth McKnight

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