Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Scott has done a fantastic job.. and I’m lovin’ it’
FORMER TEAM-MATE ILIC HAILS FULHAM BOSS PARKER
AS a youngster at Charlton, Scott Parker was best known as the kid from the McDonald’s advert.
And it’s fair to assume that the Fulham manager has enjoyed a fair few happy meals since his club beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in extra time on Tuesday night. Bouncing back from relegation at the first time of asking is something that few sides achieve.
And the influence of Parker on the west London side has been clear to see – particularly since the return of Championship football.
Sasa Ilic, now a hotel owner in Montenegro, has been watching on from afar with vested interest in the club’s progress. Not only did he play alongside Parker when the midfielder first broke into the Addicks side, he is also delighted to see fellow Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic return to the top flight. And he is in no doubt Parker’s breakthrough years in SE7 stood him in the best stead possible as a boss.
“When a teenager comes into the side, you never think about them being a manager one day,” said Ilic (below). “He came through the ranks early, but he had so much promise.
“He went on loan to Norwich in 2000 when he was 18 or 19. He was always so skilful, but even in training he’d always take that one extra touch.
“But he was always so fearless. He was always a force to be reckoned with in midfield. Alan Curbishley sent him off to Norwich and once he got a first-team place in the Championship – which can either kill you or make you – he was a completely different player.
“That’s all it took – a brief spell on loan was all he needed to take it to the next level.
“He has always been a quick learner and I think we’ve seen that in him as a manager. To take Fulham up at the first time of asking is incredible.”
Parker exudes the same quiet confidence in the dug-out as he did on the pitch for Charlton, Chelsea, West Ham, Spurs and
Newcastle. Throw in his 18 England caps and the experience he brings to a job in which he was confirmed in May 2019, after a short spell as caretaker, is obvious.
And he was certainly handed a crash-course in management throughout 2019/20.
All he needs to do now is keep Fulham in the Premier League, which might be easier said than done – but far simpler with Mitrovic leading the line. “He came off the bench in the play-off final and you saw the difference he made,” said Ilic. “It’s absolutely crucial that Fulham keep him because he’s a top, top player. “I think Scottie has done a fantastic job so far. To bounce back after relegation is amazing. You only need to see what happened to Sunderland to see what can happen if you allow things to slide. “I haven’t seen him for a while, but he’s more than welcome to stay at our hotel any time he wants!”
Staying in the Premier League next May would be a great excuse for a holiday. Ilic will greet him with open arms.
FOR the relegated Premier League clubs it’s now a high-powered game of poker – whether to stick or twist.
As soon as Championship football was confirmed for Norwich, Watford and Bournemouth the transfer vultures began their descent ready to pick at the bones of the departed.
The bigger clubs know that relegation usually means panic in the boardroom.
Even allowing for the parachute money, it’s estimated that the trio of relegated clubs will have to factor in losses of around £50million each – probably more during the pandemic.
Norwich players will see wages slashed by 50 per cent – the Canaries having the foresight to prepare for demotion from the top flight with boss Daniel Farke after one season.
Now, for all three, it’s about either trying to keep the core of the squad in an attempt to try and bounce straight back or cashing in on the best players.
Already the ball has started rolling, with central defender Nathan Ake being snapped up from Bournemouth by Manchester City for £41m.
Liverpool have made made an enquiry for Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis and are believed to have an interest in Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly (left). The Cherries have already seen manager Eddie Howe depart and winger Ryan Fraser allowing his contract to run down and now there are doubts over the futures of a glut of their players.
Wales international David Brooks is being courted by clubs, including Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Josh King, who just missed out on a January move to Manchester United, has attracted more attention, with his strike partner Callum Wilson and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
In addition to Lewis, Norwich will be inundated with offers for forwards Todd Campbell and Emiliano Buendia, defender Ben Godfrey, who is already the subject of an enquiry from Bayern Munich and keeper Tim Krul.
It’s likely to be all-change at
Watford where the club’s revolvingdoor policy on managers seems set to be repeated with the playing staff.
Ismaila Sarr was their stand-out player and it’s believed a number of top clubs, including Liverpool, United and Spurs have the 22-year-old Senegal forward on their radar.
Powerful midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has his admirers, as does winger Gerard Deulofeu.
And don’t rule out a return to the Midlands for skipper Troy Deeney with newly-promoted West Brom eyeing up a bid.