LONDON -- Fulham fired manager Rene Meulensteen and appointed Felix Magath on Friday, saying "action was required" in its bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Air Max 270 Offerta . Magath, who has won three Bundesliga titles as a coach, signed an 18-month contract, the London club said in a statement. The German has a reputation for brutal training and fitness methods. His nicknames include "Torturer" and "Saddam." Fulhams statement failed to mention Meulensteen at all, but he later said he had been relieved of his duties after less than three months in the job. "They have hit the panic button on emotion and fear -- but hey ho, thats football," Meulensteen told the BBC. The firing came as a shock to many because the Dutchman appeared to be turning things around, getting a result against Manchester United and putting in a good effort against Liverpool despite losing in the last minute. But it wasnt enough for Fulham owner and chairman Shahid Khan. "Our club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we have not won a league match since Jan. 1," Khan said. "Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required." The club is bottom of the table with 20 points from 26 matches. Magath has vast Bundesliga coaching experience, guiding Bayern Munich to back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, and lifting the league trophy again with Wolfsburg in 2009. He has also coached other German teams, including Hamburg and Schalke. But he has never managed in the Premier League. The 60-year-old Magath recently ruled out becoming coach again at Hamburg, which is in its own relegation battle and which he led to European glory as a player. He hasnt coached since leaving Wolfsburg in October 2012. "Here we go again. Im coming back into football," Magath said on his Facebook account. "I am manager of Fulham with immediate effect. Its a fantastic working environment for any coach and footballer." Khan welcomed the Germans experience, saying he had faith Magath could lift Fulham out of the relegation zone. "Im especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond," Khan said. "Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity." Fulham said it would make an announcement soon about the clubs backroom staff. The teams next match is Saturday at West Bromwich Albion, which sits four points above the Cottagers in 17th place. Meulensteen, who previously worked under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, was hired as Fulham manager after Martin Jol was sacked on Dec. 1. "I knew the owners were freaking out a little bit that there was the possibility of the club going down," Meulensteen told the BBC. "The way forward that we have discussed with the club was about longevity and in this case it is clearly an act of fear." Fulham held United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the team was beaten by a late penalty in a 3-2 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday at Craven Cottage. "I have not had a lot of time and people who came to the Manchester United and Liverpool games could see what I was trying to put in place," Meulensteen said. "I couldnt care less what they put in the statement, to be honest." Air Max 720 Outlet Italia . - Steve Stricker usually doesnt show up at a tournament on Sunday. Air Max 720 Scontate Uomo . -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands.New York, NY (Sports Network) - Peyton Manning is off to an historic start so its no surprise hes been named an AFC Player of the Week for the second time already this season. The Broncos quarterback earned the offensive award Wednesday after passing for 374 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-21 win over the Raiders Monday night. Manning completed 32-of-37 passes and had a passer rating of 135.8 -- only the sixth time in NFL history someone threw for at least 350 yards and three TDs with a completion percentage over 85, according to the NFL. He also captured the award for Week 1 after throwing an NFL record-tying seven touchdown passes against the Ravens. Manning has thrown 12 touchdown passes so far this season -- the most of any player ever through three weeks of the NFL season. Air Max 90 Italia. It was Mannings 25th Player of the Week award, also a record. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston won the defensive award after posting 4 1/2 sacks in a Thursday night win over the Eagles. Houston had seven tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in the only Chiefs player with more sacks in a game. Browns punter Spencer Lanning averaged 46.8 yards on five punts in a win over the Vikings and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass as the holder on a fake field goal attempt, earning the special teams award. He also kicked an extra point. The NFL said Lanning was the first player with a punt, an extra point and a touchdown pass in a single game since Philadelphias Sam Baker on Oct. 13, 1968. ' ' '