Johnson backs Bradley for Fulham manager's job

Fulham's American striker Eddie Johnson believes U.S. coach Bob Bradley would be an ideal candidate for the Premier League club's vacant manager's job.

Bradley, who led the United States to the round of 16 at the World Cup, has been linked with the Fulham post since Roy Hodgson joined Liverpool last month.

Bradley, who has coached the Americans since December 2006, has a contract running through the end of the year and hasn't discussed his future since returning from South Africa.

''Bob could do a good job at Fulham,'' Johnson said. ''If you look at the statistics then it's plain to see that he has done a good job with the U.S. They did well in the World Cup, won their group and played really well and that's all down to him.

''He's a very similar manager to Roy,'' Johnson added. ''He plays attractive football but also organizes his team in a defined shape that is hard to play against. They are similar in a lot of ways. The training sessions are very similar and their style on the pitch is.''

Bradley is already familiar with the west London club, which reached the Europa League final last season.

''Bob was always keen to come over to Europe to see how the game was over there and he has been over to Fulham's training ground a couple of times and has seen how Roy coached Fulham,'' Johnson said. ''I think that made their styles similar.''

The 26-year-old Johnson, who was omitted from Bradley's World Cup squad, has rejoined fellow American Clint Dempsey at Fulham after spending part of last season on loan to Greek team Aris.

''The fans have always been loyal to the American players who have come here,'' Johnson said. ''It's tough for an American to come over here to do well and Clint has done that. He's one of the top players in the Premier League.''