Slavisa Jokanovic hopes the sting allegations being fought by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink don't ruin what he feels will a very promising coaching career for his good friend.

QPR manager Hasselbaink, who Fulham boss Jokanovic has remained close with since their Chelsea playing days, was exposed by the Daily Telegraph allegedly negotiating a fee to act as an ambassador for a company that proposed selling players to Fulham's west London rivals.

This followed the same newspapers' allegations which led to the departure of England manager Sam Allardyce earlier this week.

Joka and Jimmy: Jokanovic and Hasselbaink (far right) together at Chelsea

QPR have pledged to stand by their man while they conduct their own investigation, meaning he will be in the dugout when the Rs visit Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime – and Jokanovic doesn't expect the drama of this week to have a bearing on what happens on the pitch.

He said: “Jimmy is my ex team-mate and a very talented coach at the beginning of his coaching career. Other things I don't want to comment on, they are not in my hands.

“Generally, I don't expect nothing (anything different from normal). I am focused on my own job. I'm focused on what I'm going to find on the pitch.

“I only care about Fulham. I only care about trying to improve ourselves. I only care about trying to be more comfortable at Craven Cottage. This is really what I am worried about. This is only what I am interested about.”

Video Loading

There is no doubting that, behind the professional exterior, Jokanovic will be hurting for his friend – and Hasselbaink recently spoke about just how close the two rival managers are.

He said: “We call sometimes just about certain situations, and that is it. I haven't seen him since March, but we've spoken on the phone.”

“He's a good guy, I like him. He's a good person, one of the few people I socialise with in football. He's one of the guys that are good with me from my playing career.”

poll loading

QPR v Wigan - score prediction, please?

500+ VOTES SO FAR