Late on Monday night, Fulham announced that Scott Parker would be departing Craven Cottage by mutual consent.
Less than four hours later and the 40-year-old was announced as the new head coach of AFC Bournemouth on a three-year contract.
Following the departures of Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone, Neil Moss and Steve Hard, Parker has put in place his own back-room team with Matt Wells announced as the new assistant head-coach, Rob Burch as first-team goalkeeping coach, Alastair Harris as head of performance, Charlie Moore as lead physical performance coach and Jonathan Hill first-team head analyst.
So one thing that is clear from the appointment of Parker is that he brings change. But what will he bring in regards to how he wants the side to be lining up next season in the Championship?
The overall residing message is “hard work”. He gives a nod to the potential of progressive “front foot” football, which will please the Dean Court faithful who are very used to watching attractive football. But the key message he appeared to want to get across to his new squad is that he expects them to work hard.
This somewhat mirrors Scott Parker the player, a central midfielder who played for Charlton Athletic, Norwich City (loan), Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and England.
He made 572 appearances in all competitions for his club sides and received 18 caps for England between 2003 and 2013 (14 came between 2011 and 2012).
He also knows how to win promotion from the second tier of English football, having done it as a player with Charlton in 2000 and with Fulham as head coach in 2020.
Parker told afcb.co.uk…
“I believe this is the perfect fit for both parties, I’m familiar with Bournemouth because of my relationship with Harry Arter. It’s a football club I know well from watching him over the years.
“The ethos, the reputation, the journey and the challenge here is something that’s very exciting for me and my staff.
“We want to build a team the fans can be proud of and one they feel represents them. We can’t wait to get started.”
Is Scott Parker the right choice?
Yes
No
Don't know
Your say…
SteveJonesLegend wrote…
Thought he spoke well… Yes, there are the obvious cliches in there, but that’s par for the course…
I liked that he spoke about the club in a way that showed he at least knows about our history and the journey it’s been on this last decade… and not just from what he’s read, but first-hand experience from Arter and watching him and us play…
He ‘knows’ this club perhaps that little bit more than any other manager would have, which might not mean that much in the grand scheme of things, but it puts him in a place that instantly resonates with fans…
The video has served it’s purpose as I do feel a little bit better about it all and at the end of the day, I’m just pleased we can now start talking about pre-season and transfers… – Join the conversation, click here.
