It may have dragged on for far longer than even the most patient Burnley supporter may have wanted but, still, it’s better late than never.
It’s certainly better late than in the middle of pre-season. Or, for that matter, a few weeks into the start of the new campaign.
Burnley finally confirmed the appointment of Scott Parker as their replacement for Vincent Kompany a few days ago. Chairman Alan Pace was quick to highlight Parker’s ‘track record of success’ in the second tier too.
In the former Fulham and AFC Bournemouth boss, Burnley have succeeded Kompany – who made that shock move to Bayern Munich after also catching the eye of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – with a coach who has twice taken teams out of the Championship in the past.
And while Parker’s managerial reputation may have taken a hit in recent times – particularly following that disastrous spell with Club Brugge and a 9-0 hammering by Liverpool which ended his Bournemouth stint – few would bet against the former England international adding a third promotion to his collection at a Burnley side who retain much of Kompany’s title-winning squad from 2023.
Burnley replace Vincent Kompany with Scott Parker
Parker, however, was far from the only candidate, even if he was in the running right from day one.
Per The Telegraph, Burnley considered his former Three Lions team-mate Frank Lampard too. Out of work since his departure from Everton over a year ago, Lampard is keen to get back into the game but perhaps Pace felt that Parker’s knack for success in the Championship gave him the edge.
Mainz boss Bo Svensson was also linked.
If 40-somethings Parker, Lampard and Svensson are still relatively young in managerial terms, however, the same cannot be said of a 62-year-old who also found himself in Burnley’s crosshairs, albeit maybe only for a brief spell.
Alan Pardew has not taken on an English-based job since his West Brom side were relegated in 2018. Since then, the ex-Newcastle and West Ham boss has taken charge of ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands, CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria and Aris in Greece.
Eyebrows were raised, then, when Pardew was sounded out as a potential replacement for Kompany; a man a quarter-of-a-century his junior.
“There were a couple of conversations around that,” Pardew tells talkSPORT (10 July, 9.30am) when asked if there was a genuine possibility that he could have taken over at Turf Moor.
“I think its a good job.”
Pardew, while admitting that he is waiting for an opportunity precisely like this one, was gracious enough to throw his support behind the man who eventually got the nod to build on the largely good work Kompany did in Lancashire.
“I like Scott,” Pardew adds. He is a good colleague of mine and he’s got a good opportunity there.
“That type of job (is the sort I want); taking the team back to the Premier League. But Scotty has done it before so good luck to him.”
Clarets looking for second Championship title in three years
Burnley, who recently added a new face to their squad in former PSV Eindhoven full-back Shurandy Sambo, will begin the new Championship campaign away to the similarly recently-relegated Luton Town on August 12th.
“When the offer did arise, it was an opportunity with great history and a journey I wanted to be a part of,” Parker tells the Burnley website.
“It was a long process, a real thorough process to get to this position. But, during that time, I really got to know the ownership and a get a good feel for the club.
“Looking on from afar, the journey Burnley have been on has been really exciting to watch, from Sean Dyche’s time through to Vincent most recently.
“I have absolutely no doubt that this is the right opportunity and perfect fit for me and I’m ready to get going now.”
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