Tigana targets Breen - January 8, 2001
The fortunes of Gary Breen have taken an upturn since the start of the season - so much so that the 27-year-old Irish international is now being linked with a £3.5m move to first division runaway leaders Fulham.
Breen's club, Coventry, had six central defenders going into this campaign and it looked as if he would have to move on to get a game. The season started and he was still out of favour - but over the last six weeks he has returned to the team and to form.
Coventry boss Gordon Strachan used him as a right-back when he was hit with an injury crisis and since then he has moved him back into the centre of defence where he has been outstanding.
Fulham are looking for a replacement for captain Chris Coleman, who broke his leg in a horror car crash last week, and manager Jean Tigana sees Breen as the man.
Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson has told the club's official website that Fulham have no hope of signing Breen.
He said: "There's absolutely no substance to that at all. He's certainly not going to be going there. We wouldn't let Gary Breen go anywhere.
"He's getting an extended run in the side and we're all delighted with his performances. He's proving what a top-class international performer he is. He's going nowhere."