Club: | Fulham |
Season: | 2002–03 |
Manager: | Jean Tigana (until 17 April)[1] Chris Coleman (from 17 April) |
Stadium: | Loftus Road |
League: | FA Premier League |
League Result: | 14th |
Cup1: | FA Cup |
Cup1 Result: | Fifth round |
Cup2: | League Cup |
Cup2 Result: | Fourth round |
Cup3: | UEFA Intertoto Cup |
Cup3 Result: | Winners |
Cup4: | UEFA Cup |
Cup4 Result: | Third round |
League Topscorer: | Steed Malbranque (6) |
Season Topscorer: | Steed Malbranque (13) |
Highest Attendance: | 18,800 (vs. Arsenal, 3 November, Premier League) |
Lowest Attendance: | 4,717 (vs. Sochaux, 31 July, Intertoto Cup) |
Average Attendance: | 16,707 |
Prevseason: | 2001–02 |
Nextseason: | 2003–04 |
The 2002–03 season was Fulham F.C.'s 105th season in professional football and second consecutive season in the FA Premier League. It was also the first season in over 115 years where Fulham did not play at Craven Cottage. Due to pending decisions on re-vamping the cottage, all home games (apart from two early-season fixtures) were played at Loftus Road, the home of Queens Park Rangers. Jean Tigana remained as Fulham manager up until his sacking in April 2003. Former Fulham player Chris Coleman had not long been retired from the game since suffering a career-ending injury in a car crash when he was appointed caretaker manager for the rest of the season.
Concerning the league, it was another relatively disappointing season for Fulham. Finishing in 14th place, it was seeming Fulham were finding top-flight football more of a struggle than was originally anticipated two years ago. However, an invitation to the Intertoto Cup after the 2001–02 campaign meant that Fulham could play European football for the first time in their history. Upon entering, Fulham went on to be one of the three winners of the competition, allowing them into the first round draw of the UEFA Cup. Performing better than most expected, Fulham reached the third round before being knocked out by German club Hertha BSC.
See main article: 2002–03 FA Premier League.
|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Players transferred out during the season