Scott Parker EXCLUSIVE: Fulham interim boss says he’s a ‘realist’ as struggling Cottagers battle for Premier League survival

Scott Parker EXCLUSIVE: Fulham interim boss says he’s a ‘realist’ as struggling Cottagers battle for Premier League survival
Fulham interim boss Scott Parker says he is a “realist” and has accepted the Premier League strugglers are unlikely to avoid relegation to the second tier this season.The former England midfielder, who hung up his boots while on Fulham’s books in June 2017, has stepped up from his first-team coaching role to take over the reins at Craven Cottage until the end of season following Claudio Ranieri’s sacking.2

Scott Parker has stepped up from his first-team coaching role at Fulham to become interim boss following Claudio Ranieri’s sacking

The Italian was in charge for just 106 days, winning only three of his 17 games as manager.As a result the Cottagers now lie ten points adrift of safety with 10 games to go, with a return to the Championship looking all the more likely by the day.Parker, who has also worked as Spurs’ Under-18’s head coach, admits he has a daunting task ahead of him but has promised Fulham fans that the club will quickly get into a “better place.”Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “I’m a realist and I understand the situation we’re in. I’ve been here as a player [for West Ham and Fulham] and got relegated.2

Parker was the head coach of Tottenham’s Under-18s before leaving to join Fulham’s backroom team last summer

“I’ve been in football a long time. I’m under no illusions as to how tough this is going to be.“It’s time for us to take a deep breath, regroup and take our time. It’s not going to happen overnight.“We’ve got some really good players and we shouldn’t be in the position we’re in – but we are.”He continued: “It’s been really tough for everyone over these last few months and the players have struggled to deal with setback after setback, that’s only natural.“At the end of the day we’re competing in the best league in the world, so mistakes are capitalised on and you get punished.“What I’ve got to do as the leader of this group is make it clear to the squad over the coming days and weeks is what exactly I expect from them, as well as the board and most importantly the fans.

FULHAM'S REMAINING FIXTURES

March 3 – Chelsea (H)March 9 – Leicester (A)March 17 – Liverpool (H)March 30 – Manchester City (H)April 6 – Watford (A)April 13 – Everton (H)April 20 – Bournemouth (A)April 27 – Cardiff (H)May 4 – Wolves (A)May 12 – Newcastle (H)“If I can effectively transmit that message and they can follow it, then what I can promise is that we’ll be in a better place than where we are now.”Parker is being thrown in the deep end, well and truly.The 38-year-old’s first game in charge is the small matter of a west London derby against Chelsea, who beat Tottenham on Wednesday night, at Craven Cottage this weekend.Things don’t get much easier next Saturday when they travel to Leicester in what will be Brendan Rodgers’ first home game as Foxes manager.Title-chasing Liverpool then visit the Cottage on March 17, before they entertain Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City following the completion of the international break. Parker is under no illusions as to how big the task in front of him is, which begins when the Blues come to town on Sunday.“We’re playing against a top class team, so it’s going to be difficult,” he said.“This is the type of game though that a lot of the lads have been working towards for so many years following a huge battle to get out of the Championship.“I want them to go out and express their quality and play with some freedom.“They need to embrace the occasion and give absolutely everything they have got in them – that’s the least the supporters deserve to see.”

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