Fans scratching heads as Scott Parker becomes manager of club still in Champions League

Scott Parker will take charge of Club Brugge - who are set to play in the Champions League knockouts - despite being sacked by Bournemouth less than a month into this season

Posted Sunday, January 01, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Scott Parker has been appointed as manager of Champions League side Club Brugge

Fans have been left scratching their heads after Scott Parker was appointed manager of Belgian side Club Brugge on Saturday.

The reigning Belgian Pro League champions announced Parker's arrival four months after he became the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season. The 42-year-old was relieved of his duties as Bournemouth head coach after suffering a record 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Parker lasted just four matches in the top flight, beating Aston Villa before losing three in a row to Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. And having left his side 17th in the table, his appointment has caused some confusion online.

Fans quickly pointed out that the ex-West Ham captain's new side are still in the last-16 of the Champions League - Europe's most elite club competition and a far greater level than Parker would have imagined managing while at Bournemouth.

One Twitter user wrote: "No way he gets to coach in the UCL and I haven't," while another tweeted: "This guy was sacked at Bournemouth now he's managing a UCL side."

A third joked: "Scott Parker managing in the Champions League KOs, I thought this was NYE not April Fools' Day."

A fourth brutally added: "Feel for the Brugge fans. Enjoy your 90 minutes sleep every weekend."

Parker was in charge of Bournemouth for just over a year, having joined the club in June 2021 after leaving former side Fulham via mutual consent. He led the Cherries to automatic promotion, demonstrating some of the promise which has seen Club Brugge take an interest.

Meanwhile, the Belgian club have impressed in the Champions League group stage by winning three and drawing two of their six matches. They finished second behind Porto in a group that included Bayer Leverkusen and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. Brugge take on Benfica in February's knockout stages.