08 March 2023 , 15:53
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Scott Parker has been sacked as manager of Belgian outfit Club Brugge after just 12 games in charge.
The club confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon in a short statement that lacked any real warmth as it read: "Scott Parker is no longer head coach of Club Brugge.
"Parker (42) was announced as the new head coach of Club Brugge on December 31 last year. The English ex-international previously worked for Fulham and Bournemouth and replaced Carl Hoefkens at Club. In 12 games, the Briton could only win two times."
The final straw in the eyes of the Club Brugge board appears to have been Wednesday night's Champions League round-of-16 humiliation at the hands of Portuguese giants Benfica.
Brugge were convincingly beaten in Portugal, with Benfica running out 5-1 winners on the night and 7-1 aggregate victors over the course of the two leagues.
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Following that dismal display, Parker's post-match media duties had the feel of a man who knew he was hovering dangerously close to the sack, though he remained confident he could turn the tide on his Brugge tenure.
Scott Parker lasted just three months in charge of Club Brugge (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY!Did Scott Parker deserve to be sacked by Club Brugge after just 12 games? Comment below
Pressed for comment on whether he felt he was under serious pressure in regards to losing his job, Parker explained: "I understand that question comes, because it has been asked several times in the past four to five weeks.
"Of course I understand that and I know that every match is very important to me in that respect. I am not naive about that, but I can I can't decide.
"All I can say is that I'm here to break the negative circle and develop a team that can win a whole series of games in a row. Right now it's a trial and error process, but I remain convinced that we can turn this around."
It is now clear that those above him in the club hierarchy did not agree with his assessment and have since opted to part ways with Parker after just three months.
Parker would have been relieved of his duties this morning under normal circumstances, but due to a strike from French air traffic control his side were held on the runway upon their return from Portugal and instead he was informed in the afternoon of his dismissal.
Ex-Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder is reportedly the man being lined up as Parker's successor as Brugge aim to turn their season around following their recent miserabl run of form.