Scott Parker believes he left Fulham in a good place as he prepares to start
the new Sky Bet Championship season with Bournemouth.
The 40-year-old’s departure from Craven Cottage was announced last Monday, and he was confirmed as the Cherries’ boss less than four hours later.
Parker took his first senior managerial role at Fulham, where he was placed in caretaker charge in February 2019, but was unable to keep the club out of the relegation zone in the Premier League.
After being appointed permanently in May that year, the Cottagers secured promotion back to the top flight, although their return lasted less than a year as relegation was confirmed in May this year.
Speaking at his first press conference since taking charge at Bournemouth, Parker said: “I had a fantastic time at Fulham, I’m very, very proud to lead the club, I have nothing but admiration.
“What I can say is every single day I went into that football club as a player or as a coach, I literally gave every bit of me to the club to try and be successful.
“I’d like to think I did that really. I know I leave the football club in a good place. I understand that people may point the finger and say ‘you got relegated last year’, but, like I keep saying, there’s something bigger and there’s something deeper than just winning a league or a relegation really.
“When you’re at a football club, the heart and soul of it is bigger than a win or a loss, so I’d like to think I leave the football club in a good place.
“I couldn’t tell you what reception I would get, but what I do know is that I’m immensely proud of being manager there and what I did there.”
Parker has taken over from Jonathan Woodgate at the Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth pushed for promotion back to the top flight last season and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but Jonathan Woodgate, who had been thrust into the job unexpectedly after taking up a short-term post as first-team coach, was not chosen to lead the team going into the new campaign.
Parker said it was Bournemouth’s vision that enticed him away from Craven Cottage.
He said: “The people and how it was sold in terms of the vision and where we want to go and what we want to build really – I think that was a key part, so that’s what brought me here and that’s what I’m looking forward to.
“I’m excited about the next challenge. It’s a change I’m looking forward to and one I’m hoping will be successful.”
Parker’s first 2021/22 Championship game for Bournemouth will be at home against West Brom on August 6, live on Sky Sports.