Tuesday 10 June 2014 15:29, UK
Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg admits to being uncertain as to what the future holds for him at Fulham.
Departures are inevitable at Craven Cottage this summer following relegation out of the Premier League.
Stekelenburg could be among those moving on after just 12 months in English football.
He was snapped up from Roma last summer as an experienced performer of international calibre who could help to consolidate Fulham’s standing in the top flight.
The 31-year-old was a regular under Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen, but lost his place to David Stockdale after Felix Magath inherited the managerial reins and the season started to unravel.
I came to Fulham to keep the club in the Premier League and to fight to get myself in the World Cup squad. I failed on both counts.
A loss of form ultimately cost him a place in Holland’s World Cup squad, and Stekelenburg knows he has some big decisions to make.
He is planning on returning to Fulham for the start of pre-season, but has hinted that he is already exploring the possibility of securing a switch elsewhere.
Stekelenburg told De Telegraaf: “On the 25th I report back to Fulham because I am still under contract there for three years.
“And then we’ll see. My agent is working hard to find a satisfactory solution for everyone.”
While frustrated with how his 2013/14 campaign has ended, Stekelenburg acknowledges that he has to shoulder much of the responsibility for that.
He added: “I think you always have to blame yourself first.
“If I had played at the high level I did in 2010 there would be no reason for the coach to overlook me.
“I came to Fulham to keep the club in the Premier League and to fight to get myself in the World Cup squad. I failed on both counts.”
