Fulham braced for battle to keep Scott Parker following relegation
Fulham braced for battle to cling on to Scott Parker following their top-flight relegation with the highly-rated young manager set for pivotal talks about his future amid links to Tottenham and Bournemouth
- Scott Parker impressed this season despite his Fulham side going down
- The Fulham boss will be highly sought after for vacancies in top two divisions
- He is set to have crucial talks with the club about his future after their relegation
- Parker’s been linked with Tottenham and promotion hopefuls Bournemouth
Fulham are braced for a battle to keep Scott Parker for their Championship return as the club prepare for a summer shake-up.
The Cottagers’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Monday night following a 2-0 home loss to Burnley with Parker now set for pivotal talks with club officials.
Despite their difficult season, Parker’s stock has risen, particularly for his work in implementing a clear philosophy at Craven Cottage.
Fulham’s manager Scott Parker will be in demand this summer after impressing this season
Parker was unable to keep Fulham in the Premier League but has seen his stock rise
And his emergence has not gone unnoticed, with Parker expected to become a hot-property for any vacancies that arise in the top two divisions ahead of next season.
Parker has already been linked with the vacant head coach’s position at Tottenham, a club he used to play for, while Bournemouth have a long-standing interest in the 40-year-old.
As it stands, the Cherries are firmly focussed on their Championship play-off semi-final against Brentford with any decision on their managerial position delayed until the end of the season.
Jonathan Woodgate was placed in caretaker charge until the end of the campaign following the departure of Jason Tindall and the managerial situation will be reviewed after the play-offs.
Parker (left) is set for crunch talks with the club as they prepare for life in the second tier
The 40-year-old is also linked to Tottenham job with Daniel Levy struggling to find a new boss
He has interest from Bournemouth, though they are firmly focussed on the play-offs
Asked if his talks with the will determine whether he stays, Parker said: ‘We’ll make those decisions together as a football club. We’ll have those discussions. They happen at all football clubs.
‘We’re going to have be very honest and very brutal in our assessment of this year and what we need to do. Everyone needs to have an opinion on that.
‘My opinion will be given. The club needs to make big decisions.’
Fulham are also set to lose a host of players, having signed seven loanees during the campaign, and start next season with what Parker described as a ‘new squad.’
Tottenham are among the clubs keen on on-loan Lyon defender Joachim Andersen who was handed the captains’ armband after just four appearances and has been a standout performer.
Joachim Andersen (centre) is one of several loanees set to leave Fulham in the summer
Parker said Fulham will start next season with a new squad and have big decisions to make
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, on loan from PSG, and full-back Ola Aina, on loan from Torino, have also attracted top-flight interest.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return to Chelsea and have a chance to make a head start on impressing Thomas Tuchel in pre-season with many of his Blues teammates set to be away at the Euros.
Mario Lemina, Ademola Lookman and Josh Maja are all due to return to their parent clubs.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is admired by West Ham manager David Moyes while one of last summer’s permanent signings, Tosin Adarabioyo, could remain in the Premier League after catching the eye in his debut full top-flight season.
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