Scott Parker reported to be waiting in the wings to coach Fulham
FORMER Newcastle United captain Scott Parker could be handed a shock first managerial role – if Fulham sack Slavisa Jokanovic.
The Cottagers are bottom of the Premier League table and have shipped a top-flight-high 29 goals in 11 matches this season, four more than any other side in the division. To put that into perspective, fourthbottom Newcastle have conceded fewer than half of that total. Following Monday night’s damaging 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Huddersfield Town, Fulham slipped to the foot of the table – and face a daunting run of fixtures, starting with a trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
Cottagers boss Jokanovic is under increasing pressure – with the west London club having spent more than £100m on signings during the summer, including recruiting striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle for a deal starting at £22m – and there are reports that the Serbian manager could even be dismissed as soon as during the upcoming international break.
So-called ‘firefighter-type managers’ such as Sam Allardyce, and Steve Bruce have been linked with the role, but national media reports now claim ex-Magpies skipper Parker could be given an opportunity to take on the role on a permanent basis. The first-team coach is likely to be installed as caretaker boss if Jokanovic is sacked and, rather than rush into appointing a permanent successor, the Telegraph and Daily Mail report that Parker would be given time to prove he can cut it as a top-flight manager.
Parker has already completed all of his coaching badges and has worked on the backroom staff at Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham.