Brede Hangeland had the chance to stay – but he was the one who decided otherwise and not Fulham, says Felix Magath.

The Whites boss revealed he invited the former captain to a meeting a week after a torrid season that brought relegation to find out his next move.

“I spoke to Brede Hangeland, and asked him to come to my office, and I told him I wanted him to stay,” Magath explained.

“He told me at this meeting, he wanted to think about. He had a choice, and I wanted him to stay, but then nothing.”

One last time: Hangeland leads the boys out against Palace in May 2014

The Norwegian international claimed he was let go by an email from the club without a word of thanks before he signed for Crystal Palace.

As Fulham gear up to a first game in the Championship in 13 years, Magath insists emphasis on youth and new players is the way forward, even if fails to yield instant results.

He explained: “This is a change of philosophy. In the past, there was maybe one player (from the academy) making one or two appearances, but not one coming through.

“We have added six players from the academy. It was difficult for the players last season perhaps for motivation, but it will never be a problem for me, and I started in the fourth league and I’m used to working in lower leagues.

“I was looking for club who was struggling and wanting to rebuild - and that is Fulham.”