Rene Meulensteen reckons he's winning the battle to keep star striker Dimitar Berbatov at Fulham.
The Bulgarian's future is in doubt after his agent claimed the former Manchester United frontman wanted to quit the Premier League strugglers in January.
Newcastle United and Turkish side Trabzonspor have been linked with a swoop for the 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
However, Meulensteen has a good relationship with Berbatov from his time working as coach at Old Trafford, and the Dutchman remains confident of keeping his talisman in SW6.
He said: “We know each other quite well, which makes a difference. I’m not a stranger to him and he knows the outlook I have on playing football, which I think he buys into.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together on the training pitch and you strike up a different sort of relationship with a coach than you do as a manager.
“If you’re a coach you’re easier to speak to, where as managers are the ones making the decisions.
“I’ve had a chat with him and I know he’s committed to this club and the games we have in front of us. Looking at the performances he’s been excellent for us.”
