Scott Parker to Tottenham verdict as Postecoglou heads out: ‘It’s a left-field appointment’
Tottenham Hotspur could do much worse than Scott Parker as a potential manager once Ange Postecoglou is finally sacked.
Postecoglou’s cards are marked at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the wake of 18 league defeats this season, and with a trip to champions-elect Liverpool next for Spurs, things could yet get much worse.
Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson expects Daniel Levy to sack Postecoglou even if Tottenham win the Europa League, and has now told Football Insider who they could turn to next.
Several current Premier League bosses have been linked with the soon-to-be vacant Tottenham dugout, but Parker’s name has now been thrown into the ring after Burnley’s promotion was sealed on Monday.
Parker has now led Fulham, Bournemouth and Fulham back into the Premier League in three attempts, and with his stock higher than ever, Spurs could launch a surprise approach for their former midfielder.
‘Tottenham to appoint Scott Parker – the time is right’
Parker is the latest manager whose name has been touted as possible successors to Postecoglou in North London, including the current Bournemouth and Fulham bosses, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva.
However, speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson, who won the 2008 League Cup with Spurs, agued Parker has earned the opportunity to take up the challenge at Tottenham, despite concerns over his record in the Premier League.
“They’re talking about that Ange’s job is not even dependent on the Europa League, aren’t they? Those 18 defeats, potentially 19 this weekend…”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“Scott Parker’s done an excellent job in the Championship; Fulham, Bournemouth, Burnley, got them all out of the Championship, got three promotions.
“You look at his record in the Premier League – I think it’d be a left-field appointment, you’d be taking a chance.
“He’s a quality young English coach who, how do you know he’s not going to succeed with the resources at Tottenham until he’s given the opportunity.
“I suspect the resources at Bournemouth and Fulham weren’t exactly the same as what they would be at Tottenham, and I think if you’re going to take a chance on a young English coach, now is the time to do it.
“Look where Tottenham are – it’s a great time to take over. Unless they win that Europa League, it’s a fantastic time to take that club forward, because it’s a massive football club who’ve been starved to success for many a year.
“Scott Parker at 44 – you look at his win ratio in the Premier League, you look at his win ratio at Club Brugge, it’s not really worked out for him at the top level. I think he’s a top quality coach and deserves an opportunity to prove himself.
“Young English managers don’t get that opportunity because there’s always somebody far more attractive with a foreign name or a coaching CV that’s allegedly different.
“But for Scott Parker, what he’s achieved and where he’s been in the game, I wouldn’t be disappointed if Parker was given an opportunity to show what he can do with that resource and that team.
“I think it would be a risk, it would be a chance, but it’s one that I’d be willing to take because they’re not going to finish any worse than they have this year.”
Tottenham face tough task to find Postecoglou replacement
Spurs clearly seek Premier League experience in their hunt for Postecoglou’s successor, but their quest to hire an in-work manager from any of the other 19 clubs will be a very difficult task for Daniel Levy.
Burnley will be in no mood to let Parker leave after just 15 goals conceded in 44 matches this term, while Bournemouth have also taken steps to keep hold of Iraola in the form of a long-term contract offer.
Football Insider revealed on 18 April that Thomas Frank’s contract at Brentford includes a release clause which Tottenham could easily trigger, but that’s no guarantee they’ll agree personal terms with the Dane.
Parker remains an option if Tottenham’s pursuits of Iraola, Frank and Silva all fail, but with Burnley on the rise, an emotional return to North London may not be in the pipeline just yet,