Fulham caretaker manager Scott Parker has been appointed as the club’s new head coach on a permanent basis, effective immediately. Parker was unable to save the Cottagers from Premier League relegation after the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. He will lead the West London side in next season’s Sky Bet Championship.
Scott Parker Appointed Fulham Head Coach
Confirmed. ?️#SUPERSCOTT
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) May 10, 2019
Career
Parker enjoyed a successful playing career which started with Charlton Athletic. He then moved onto Chelsea and Newcastle United before enjoying the best spells of his playing time at West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 18-times England international completed his playing days at Fulham. His final appearance came in 2017. He returned to the club as a first team coach in the summer of 2018.
Despite spending over £100 million in last year’s transfer window, the Cottagers struggled for much of the season. Parker was instilled as the club’s third manager of the campaign late on following the departures of Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri. Narrow losses against Chelsea and Liverpool showed signs of improvement but he was unable to turn their fortunes. However, he did manage the club’s only three-game winning streak of the season. Once they were already relegated, they won against Everton, Bournemouth and Cardiff City.
Thoughts
Upon his appointment, Parker told Fulham’s official website: “I’m delighted to be appointed Head Coach of Fulham Football Club and I thank the Chairman for entrusting me with this responsibility, as well as the support and encouragement that both he and Tony Khan have provided me.
“The players, staff and fans have all been fantastic with me since I took temporary charge. We are now all focused on ending this campaign with a positive result on Sunday against Newcastle and look forward to preparations for the new season, which have already begun.”
Shahid Khan, Fulham chairman, added: “Scott was brave to accept a very difficult challenge in February when appointed as our Caretaker Manager. Since that time, day by day, whether in training or on matchday, we’ve undeniably become a better football club.
“Scott will now have another challenge to face, and that is to return Fulham to the Premier League. Scott is more than up to the task. I appreciate that he’s been clear for many years that his ultimate goal is to excel as a manager, and he will be given every opportunity to succeed at Fulham. I also have no doubt that he knows and loves this Club every bit as much as our supporters, and that’s an intangible that everyone can welcome.”
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