English Premier League: Scott Parker favourite for Fulham Job

Fulham have lost five of their last six Premier League games and the club is in search of a new manager. Claudio Ranieri has been sacked and Scott Parker takes temporary charge.

Fulham Sack Manager

Ranieri spent less than 110 days in charge at Craven Cottage. The Italian won the Premier League with Leicester City, but he could not guide Fulham up the league. One win in nine isn’t good enough in any league. A 2-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup sums up Fulham’s season. Club owner Shahid Khan released a statement on the club’s website.

"Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone. No surprise to me, Claudio was a perfect gentleman, as always. Claudio’s tenure at Fulham didn’t produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as Manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today.Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our Club to nine points in his first eight matches as Manager. Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon.I am asking Scott Parker to serve as our Caretaker Manager. Scott’s immediate assignment is merely to help us stabilize, grow and rediscover ourselves as a football club. If Scott can answer that challenge, and our players respond to the opportunity, perhaps victories will follow in the months ahead. via fulhamfc.com"

https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1101159975169204226

Next Manager Odds

Scott Parker 1/33 – Parker is a club favourite. The former midfielder played for several big clubs, including West Ham United, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Parker has to find a formula to get results. Draws won’t necessarily be sufficient to maintain their league status. Parker’s lack of managerial experience is a concern.

Sam Allardyce 12/1 – The former West Ham Manager and Everton manager may not have enough time to stamp his authority on the club. The board must consider what Allardyce will prove that Parker won’t.

Elsewhere, Steve Clarke and David Wagner are both priced at 20/1.

Whoever takes over as the club’s next manager will have to brace themselves for life in the Championship. Football is an unforgiving sport, especially at the top. Fulham hasn’t been able to show the quality required to maintain their Premier League status. Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City are the only teams to have scored fewer goals than Fulham. It’s not looking good for the London club, it’s a case of damage limitation for the new manager. Of course, Parker could hold the caretaker’s role until the end of the season.

Poor Run Of Form

The midweek defeat to Southampton amplifies Fulham’s challenge to stay in the Top Flight. Fulham are 10 points adrift of safety, they also have a poor goal difference.

Premier League survival continues on Sunday when Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage. Three tough games follow at Leicester City (a), Liverpool (h) and Manchester City (h). Parker has a huge task on his hands.

*Odds correct at the time of writing via oddschecker.com