January 5 – Just four months after his dismissal by Bournemouth, Scott Parker has succeeded Carl Hoefkens as head coach of Belgian champions Club Brugge.
“The club exudes professionalism,” said Parker at a news conference. “That was immediately apparent from all previous conversations. The ambition of the club fits my personality. I want to become the best version of myself here. The team lends itself to that. There are many talented individuals in the squad. We must become ruthless and bring dominant football. That is what I stand for.”
The 42-year-old’s first managerial appointment was at Craven Cottage before moving to Bournemouth in 2021, but a poor run of results led to his sacking at the Vitality Stadium.
Having promoted both Fulham and Bournemouth to the Premier League, Parker is considered one of the more interesting, young British coaches, but he will have his work cut out at Brugge, who have slipped 12 points behind league leaders Genk in the Belgian top flight, sitting fourth on 34 points after 18 matches.
“We have to be ambitious, but also realistic,” said Parker. “I will have to find out in the coming weeks what the difficulties and obstacles are for us. We will start winning games first.”
Parker succeeds Hoefkens, who had taken over from Alfred Schreuder. Hoefkens had been the inhouse choice and delivered outstanding results in the Champions League with the Belgian club reaching the second round for the first time. In February, they will meet Benfica for a place in the last eight.
Domestic results however cost Hoefkens his job, with defeat to STVV in the Belgian Cup and a 1-1 league draw against OH Leuven proving to be the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.
On Sunday, Parker will face a baptism of fire when Club Brugge play Genk.
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