PARKER TAKES FUL COMMAND

SCOTT PARKER admitted that he was relieved the wait was over as he was finally handed the Fulham head coach’s role last night.

The 38-year-old former England midfielder and Cottagers skipper has been given a two-year contract by owner Shahid Khan after a successful spell as caretaker since February.

Khan immediately set Parker the task of returning relegated Fulham to the top flight and said: “Scott was brave to accept a very difficult challenge in February when appointed as our caretaker manager. He will now have another challenge to face, and that is to return Fulham to the Premier League. I fully believe Scott is more than up to the task.”

Parker, whose first match in full charge will be against one of his former clubs in Newcastle at Craven Cottage tomorrow, admitted he faced a huge job.

He said: “I am delighted to be appointed, and relieved. We were getting to the point where it was best that the club let people know what direction we want to go in.

“It’s a big summer coming up, a big season next year and whether I was the man or not was important.” When appointed yesterday after stepping off the training pitch, Parker (above) had not even called his wife Carly – or told his players.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Kilmarnock chief Steve Clarke had both been linked with the job.

But Parker said: “These players have realised in these last 10 weeks what I am about, what I demand.

“I have not booked any holiday. It’s a massive summer for all of us.

“We want to try and be best prepared for when we come back in July. The hard work starts now.”