Scott Parker confirmed as full-time Fulham boss as club plots immediate Premier League return

SCOTT PARKER has been confirmed as the permanent Fulham head coach as the club look for an immediate return to the Premier League.

The ex-captain, 38, impressed the Craven Cottage hierarchy despite being unable to prevent relegation following Slavisa Jokanovic’s and Claudio Ranieri’s struggles.

Parker said: “I’m delighted to be appointed head coach of Fulham Football Club and I thank the chairman for entrusting me with this responsibility, as well as the support and encouragement that both he and Tony Khan have provided me.

“The players, staff and fans have all been fantastic with me since I took temporary charge.

“We are now all focused on ending this campaign with a positive result on Sunday against Newcastle and look forward to preparations for the new season, which have already begun.”

Parker rejoined Fulham from his role as Under-18s boss at Tottenham at the beginning of the season to work with Jokanovic and was promoted from first-team coach when Ranieri was sacked at the end of February.

A run of three wins sandwiched between six defeats from his nine games in charge was not enough to avoid the drop.

DONE ENOUGH

After relegation was confirmed, Parker led the Cottagers to back-to-back victories over Everton, Bournemouth and Cardiff without conceding a single goal.

And the club reckon he is the right man to bring Premier League football back to Craven Cottage for the 2020/21 season.

Chairman Shahid Khan said: “Scott was brave to accept a very difficult challenge in February when appointed as our caretaker manager.

“Since that time, day by day, whether in training or on matchday, we’ve undeniably become a better football club.

“Scott 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.

“I appreciate that he’s been clear for many years that his ultimate goal is to excel as a manager, and he will be given every opportunity to succeed at Fulham.

“I also have no doubt that he knows and loves this club every bit as much as our supporters, and that’s an intangible that everyone can welcome.”

Fulham face Newcastle at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the season before attention turns to making preparations for another campaign in the Championship.