Ahead of tomorrow's visit to Wigan, where the Cottagers attempt to earn their second away win of the season, Davies said on the club website: "I've been very impressed with him.

"Having been a player here himself, I think he's got it right in terms of how close he gets with the players. He gets messages across very clearly, which can be half the problem for managers sometimes, they complicate things too much.

"He lets us know exactly what he wants and there are no excuses when you go out on the pitch. Everyone knows their jobs and everyone knows what the manager expects so if you don't do it he's then got every right to take you off, so you can have no complaints.

"In general there is a relaxed atmosphere, but the intensity builds up when the games are coming and that's exactly what you need.

"I don't think you can be intense all the time, you've got to get the right balance and it seems the manager and the coaching staff have done that."

Before the link with City emerged today Coleman spoke of his wish one day not only to manage Wales, but also to coach on the Continent.

"I would love to have a go at managing abroad," he said. "I would love to sample it and see what it is like. To see if I could broaden my horizons and learn a bit more.

"It is hard to get a job abroad, but a lot of foreign coaches come to the Premier League, don't they? Are they any better than the guys we've got?

"I think there is stuff we can learn from them, but why don't we see more British coaches going abroad to work and finding out what it is all about over there?

"I'd love to have the chance to go to Portugal, Italy, Spain or wherever and have a look. And I'd love to one day get a chance of managing Wales - but that is somewhere in the distance God knows where."

It is now four years since Coleman, still only 36, took charge of Fulham after the dismissal of Jean Tigana.

"When I took the job I was looking at a five-year plan of where we needed to be and I am proud to say we are on course for that," he added.

"We needed more stability - we had to cut the budget, stay in the Premier League and get back to Craven Cottage. We were still at Loftus Road back then.

"We have done all three things. We have progressed the training ground, our fan base has grown and we've had four years now, touch wood, where we stay in the league again.

"If we can get higher in the league next year I can say that is what I set out to do. But that's not to say I am off.

"I said if I am lucky enough to be still here after five years let's see what we do from there.

"We are another year away and I have not really looked beyond that if I am honest. I have not even though about where I will be in five years."

Fulham, with only one win away all season, and Wigan are 14th and 15th in the table and not yet clear of the relegation zone. But they each know a win this weekend would enable them to sleep much more easily.

Coleman also places great importance on the three points because of the knock-on effect of trying to improve his squad.

"As soon as you get your Premiership status it is easier to bring in players - and it counts the higher up the league you finish as well," he commented.

"You've got to do your work early doors because there are loads of vultures flying about - we are all looking for the same player. The quicker you can do that, the easier it is.

"We have got to strengthen the squad in certain positions, so we're now doing our homework. Players get flagged up or we see them or our scouts give us reports - Italy, Spain, Ireland, anywhere.

"We haven't got that massive budget where we can afford to be flippant. We're not Chelsea, Manchester United and we have to convince players to come to us.

"We have to really do our homework, target the right players, convince them to come to us, tell them why it's the right club for them. We've got to make sure we cover everything. If we get it wrong we might not get another chance to get it right."