Scott Parker
- Thread starter yesyescherry
- Start date
rgb
Star Player
The Bournemouth boardroom tensions that cost Scott Parker his job
Parker is not a quitter, all he wanted was a fighting chance to succeed with Bournemouth
By Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent 30 August 2022 • 8:25pm
The Bournemouth boardroom tensions that cost Scott Parker his job
Scott Parker and Jeff Mostyn, Chairman of AFC Bournemouth, in a happier time when the club had achieved promotion Credit: GETTY IMAGES
There are those at Bournemouth, and more widely within football, who were left shocked not just by the abruptness of Scott Parker’s sacking but also the statement from the club’s owner Maxim Demin suggesting that the manager was not “aligned to run the club sustainably”.
That made it sound like Parker had demanded huge amounts of money be spent during this transfer window when, it seems, he was actually targeting just a couple of loan signings before Thursday’s deadline.
Given Bournemouth have spent less than £25million since gaining promotion – in contrast, for exapmple, to the £50million committed by Fulham, who have not finished their spending, and the £140million by Nottingham Forest – then it is a questionable narrative to try to push.
Bournemouth argue that Parker, whose relationship with chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Richard Hughes was strained, was turning down potential signings and wanted the club to live beyond its means.
Laudably, that is something Bournemouth do not want to do.
But Parker was always in a difficult position. Brought in to gain promotion back to the Premier League, he did that at the first attempt – just as he had achieved at Fulham – but found himself going into this campaign with a squad weaker than the one that ended last season.
Eight first-team players left. Five were signed and only three before the season started; two of whom were injured. Meanwhile, Fulham signed seven with three more arriving, Forest have recruited 18 with possibly a couple more. Three of those at Bournemouth are free transfers – Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers, Ryan Fredericks from West Ham United and goalkeeper Neto from Barcelona. The only money spent has been the £10million on midfielder Marcus Tavernier, from Middlesbrough, and £12million for defender Marcos Senesi from Feyenoord.
What chance do Bournemouth have? Their biggest asset appeared to be Parker himself. And now he has gone. The former England international, just 41, has quickly gained a reputation as a good coach and was desperate to cement himself as a Premier League manager.
He is also a fighter; not a quitter (? not what his pressers after matches suggested) and appeared to be giving Bournemouth everything he has got even though the widespread expectation is they will go straight back down. And certainly with this squad.
What seems to have really upset Bournemouth is his public statements, even if few would surely argue with what he has uttered.
Before the season started Parker said the club should “want to give ourselves a chance of being competitive” which clearly suggested they had left themselves short. Nevertheless, he achieved a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening weekend and although that has been followed by three defeats – against Arsenal and away to Manchester City and Liverpool (at a stunning aggregate of 16-0) – three points from their opening four games is three more than most people expected.
But then this is not a decision based on results.
Parker was pushing to strengthen his squad, which is his prerogative especially given the finance that should be accessed with promotion to the Premier League and with an owner in Demin who, it is claimed, backs his managers and has invested heavily in the last few years.
In saying that, Bournemouth sold £80million worth of players when they were relegated, spending nothing
, and made a profit the next season also. When Parker arrived they recouped another £20million by selling Arnaut Danjuma and replaced him with academy graduate Jaidon Anthony - one of four Parker promoted. High-earners such as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Diego Rico were moved on. There were recruits in January but, of those, only striker Kieffer Moore has made a difference.
After the 9-0 loss to Liverpool at the weekend, Parker, understandably raw and upset from the hammering, was even clearer. “I feel sorry for the fans," he said. "I feel sorry for the players. Because we are ill-equipped at this level”. It sounded harsh but was not as brutal as the scoreline so was he not just being honest? Either he is a terrible coach or the team is not good enough. The evidence points to the latter.
Did Parker go too far in that moment? Clearly it appears Bournemouth thought so and have latched onto that phrase “ill-equipped” even though few pundits, managers or fans would argue otherwise.
And so there have been discussions over whether Parker was always a bad fit for Bournemouth, whether he was out of touch with the main motto that "together, anything is possible" and had forgotten that not so long ago the club was staring at going out of business and so was not prepared to risk its future now.
But he gained promotion – and where would they be without that? - and the question has to be whether Demin has the stomach, or the finances, for the fight? Why else would he not invest or does he really believe the squad is good enough or is he simply prepared to accept relegation?
Rumours still swirl, having emerged last year, that the Russian businessman (with UK citizenship) may be looking to sell the club. No comment was forthcoming when Bloomberg first reported this. Clearly, Bournemouth would be a far more attractive proposition now they back are in the Premier League.
To a degree Bournemouth may be taking a realistic stance. If they spent, say, £40million as Norwich City did last season would it make that big a difference? Would they go down anyway as seven of the past 12 teams to be promoted from the Championship have done?
It is pointed out that 11 of Bournemouth’s squad already have Premier League experience. And experience of relegation. Maybe Bournemouth accept that will be their fate again, which is fair enough, or maybe a new manager will come in and save them. But all it appears Parker was doing was asking to be given a fighting chance to succeed.
Invest, or subsidise?
Parker is not a quitter, all he wanted was a fighting chance to succeed with Bournemouth
By Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent 30 August 2022 • 8:25pm
The Bournemouth boardroom tensions that cost Scott Parker his job
Scott Parker and Jeff Mostyn, Chairman of AFC Bournemouth, in a happier time when the club had achieved promotion Credit: GETTY IMAGES
There are those at Bournemouth, and more widely within football, who were left shocked not just by the abruptness of Scott Parker’s sacking but also the statement from the club’s owner Maxim Demin suggesting that the manager was not “aligned to run the club sustainably”.
That made it sound like Parker had demanded huge amounts of money be spent during this transfer window when, it seems, he was actually targeting just a couple of loan signings before Thursday’s deadline.
Given Bournemouth have spent less than £25million since gaining promotion – in contrast, for exapmple, to the £50million committed by Fulham, who have not finished their spending, and the £140million by Nottingham Forest – then it is a questionable narrative to try to push.
Bournemouth argue that Parker, whose relationship with chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Richard Hughes was strained, was turning down potential signings and wanted the club to live beyond its means.
Laudably, that is something Bournemouth do not want to do.
But Parker was always in a difficult position. Brought in to gain promotion back to the Premier League, he did that at the first attempt – just as he had achieved at Fulham – but found himself going into this campaign with a squad weaker than the one that ended last season.
Eight first-team players left. Five were signed and only three before the season started; two of whom were injured. Meanwhile, Fulham signed seven with three more arriving, Forest have recruited 18 with possibly a couple more. Three of those at Bournemouth are free transfers – Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers, Ryan Fredericks from West Ham United and goalkeeper Neto from Barcelona. The only money spent has been the £10million on midfielder Marcus Tavernier, from Middlesbrough, and £12million for defender Marcos Senesi from Feyenoord.
What chance do Bournemouth have? Their biggest asset appeared to be Parker himself. And now he has gone. The former England international, just 41, has quickly gained a reputation as a good coach and was desperate to cement himself as a Premier League manager.
He is also a fighter; not a quitter (? not what his pressers after matches suggested) and appeared to be giving Bournemouth everything he has got even though the widespread expectation is they will go straight back down. And certainly with this squad.
What seems to have really upset Bournemouth is his public statements, even if few would surely argue with what he has uttered.
Before the season started Parker said the club should “want to give ourselves a chance of being competitive” which clearly suggested they had left themselves short. Nevertheless, he achieved a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening weekend and although that has been followed by three defeats – against Arsenal and away to Manchester City and Liverpool (at a stunning aggregate of 16-0) – three points from their opening four games is three more than most people expected.
But then this is not a decision based on results.
Parker was pushing to strengthen his squad, which is his prerogative especially given the finance that should be accessed with promotion to the Premier League and with an owner in Demin who, it is claimed, backs his managers and has invested heavily in the last few years.
In saying that, Bournemouth sold £80million worth of players when they were relegated, spending nothing
, and made a profit the next season also. When Parker arrived they recouped another £20million by selling Arnaut Danjuma and replaced him with academy graduate Jaidon Anthony - one of four Parker promoted. High-earners such as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Diego Rico were moved on. There were recruits in January but, of those, only striker Kieffer Moore has made a difference.After the 9-0 loss to Liverpool at the weekend, Parker, understandably raw and upset from the hammering, was even clearer. “I feel sorry for the fans," he said. "I feel sorry for the players. Because we are ill-equipped at this level”. It sounded harsh but was not as brutal as the scoreline so was he not just being honest? Either he is a terrible coach or the team is not good enough. The evidence points to the latter.
Did Parker go too far in that moment? Clearly it appears Bournemouth thought so and have latched onto that phrase “ill-equipped” even though few pundits, managers or fans would argue otherwise.
And so there have been discussions over whether Parker was always a bad fit for Bournemouth, whether he was out of touch with the main motto that "together, anything is possible" and had forgotten that not so long ago the club was staring at going out of business and so was not prepared to risk its future now.
But he gained promotion – and where would they be without that? - and the question has to be whether Demin has the stomach, or the finances, for the fight? Why else would he not invest or does he really believe the squad is good enough or is he simply prepared to accept relegation?
Rumours still swirl, having emerged last year, that the Russian businessman (with UK citizenship) may be looking to sell the club. No comment was forthcoming when Bloomberg first reported this. Clearly, Bournemouth would be a far more attractive proposition now they back are in the Premier League.
To a degree Bournemouth may be taking a realistic stance. If they spent, say, £40million as Norwich City did last season would it make that big a difference? Would they go down anyway as seven of the past 12 teams to be promoted from the Championship have done?
It is pointed out that 11 of Bournemouth’s squad already have Premier League experience. And experience of relegation. Maybe Bournemouth accept that will be their fate again, which is fair enough, or maybe a new manager will come in and save them. But all it appears Parker was doing was asking to be given a fighting chance to succeed.
Invest, or subsidise?
Last edited:
Fairly balanced view. Just a bit too defensive of Parker IMO. He is entitled to fight his corner but he went about it in a very crass way, which was unlikely to end well or do his reputation any favours. I think he should be criticised for this at least.
And yes, Max is probably prepared to accept relegation, as long as it leaves him / the club in a better financial position than it was. I think that’s fairly clear by now.
rgb
Star Player
Yup. It's a media love-in for SP, whilst those of us who have been around and well remember the days of 3,000 home gates, know what will happen if we spunk heaps and put ourselves in the mire.
purbeck67
First Team
Three of those at Bournemouth are free transfers – Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers, Ryan Fredericks from West Ham United and goalkeeper Neto from Barcelona. The only money spent has been the £10million on midfielder Marcus Tavernier, from Middlesbrough, and £12million for defender Marcos Senesi from Feyenoord.
Parker getting his narrative out here. And the idea that a player signed on a free is somehow a sign of a poor signing!
I suppose it gives another side to the story, but you can't take the words out of Parker's mouth before and after the Liverpool game.
SlowDownDerek
UTC Legend
The Bournemouth boardroom tensions that cost Scott Parker his job
Parker is not a quitter, all he wanted was a fighting chance to succeed with Bournemouth
By Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent 30 August 2022 • 8:25pm
The Bournemouth boardroom tensions that cost Scott Parker his job
Scott Parker and Jeff Mostyn, Chairman of AFC Bournemouth, in a happier time when the club had achieved promotion Credit: GETTY IMAGES
There are those at Bournemouth, and more widely within football, who were left shocked not just by the abruptness of Scott Parker’s sacking but also the statement from the club’s owner Maxim Demin suggesting that the manager was not “aligned to run the club sustainably”.
That made it sound like Parker had demanded huge amounts of money be spent during this transfer window when, it seems, he was actually targeting just a couple of loan signings before Thursday’s deadline.
Given Bournemouth have spent less than £25million since gaining promotion – in contrast, for exapmple, to the £50million committed by Fulham, who have not finished their spending, and the £140million by Nottingham Forest – then it is a questionable narrative to try to push.
Bournemouth argue that Parker, whose relationship with chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Richard Hughes was strained, was turning down potential signings and wanted the club to live beyond its means.
Laudably, that is something Bournemouth do not want to do.
But Parker was always in a difficult position. Brought in to gain promotion back to the Premier League, he did that at the first attempt – just as he had achieved at Fulham – but found himself going into this campaign with a squad weaker than the one that ended last season.
Eight first-team players left. Five were signed and only three before the season started; two of whom were injured. Meanwhile, Fulham signed seven with three more arriving, Forest have recruited 18 with possibly a couple more. Three of those at Bournemouth are free transfers – Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers, Ryan Fredericks from West Ham United and goalkeeper Neto from Barcelona. The only money spent has been the £10million on midfielder Marcus Tavernier, from Middlesbrough, and £12million for defender Marcos Senesi from Feyenoord.
What chance do Bournemouth have? Their biggest asset appeared to be Parker himself. And now he has gone. The former England international, just 41, has quickly gained a reputation as a good coach and was desperate to cement himself as a Premier League manager.
He is also a fighter; not a quitter (? not what his pressers after matches suggested) and appeared to be giving Bournemouth everything he has got even though the widespread expectation is they will go straight back down. And certainly with this squad.
What seems to have really upset Bournemouth is his public statements, even if few would surely argue with what he has uttered.
Before the season started Parker said the club should “want to give ourselves a chance of being competitive” which clearly suggested they had left themselves short. Nevertheless, he achieved a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening weekend and although that has been followed by three defeats – against Arsenal and away to Manchester City and Liverpool (at a stunning aggregate of 16-0) – three points from their opening four games is three more than most people expected.
But then this is not a decision based on results.
Parker was pushing to strengthen his squad, which is his prerogative especially given the finance that should be accessed with promotion to the Premier League and with an owner in Demin who, it is claimed, backs his managers and has invested heavily in the last few years.
In saying that, Bournemouth sold £80million worth of players when they were relegated, spending nothing
After the 9-0 loss to Liverpool at the weekend, Parker, understandably raw and upset from the hammering, was even clearer. “I feel sorry for the fans," he said. "I feel sorry for the players. Because we are ill-equipped at this level”. It sounded harsh but was not as brutal as the scoreline so was he not just being honest? Either he is a terrible coach or the team is not good enough. The evidence points to the latter.
Did Parker go too far in that moment? Clearly it appears Bournemouth thought so and have latched onto that phrase “ill-equipped” even though few pundits, managers or fans would argue otherwise.
And so there have been discussions over whether Parker was always a bad fit for Bournemouth, whether he was out of touch with the main motto that "together, anything is possible" and had forgotten that not so long ago the club was staring at going out of business and so was not prepared to risk its future now.
But he gained promotion – and where would they be without that? - and the question has to be whether Demin has the stomach, or the finances, for the fight? Why else would he not invest or does he really believe the squad is good enough or is he simply prepared to accept relegation?
Rumours still swirl, having emerged last year, that the Russian businessman (with UK citizenship) may be looking to sell the club. No comment was forthcoming when Bloomberg first reported this. Clearly, Bournemouth would be a far more attractive proposition now they back are in the Premier League.
To a degree Bournemouth may be taking a realistic stance. If they spent, say, £40million as Norwich City did last season would it make that big a difference? Would they go down anyway as seven of the past 12 teams to be promoted from the Championship have done?
It is pointed out that 11 of Bournemouth’s squad already have Premier League experience. And experience of relegation. Maybe Bournemouth accept that will be their fate again, which is fair enough, or maybe a new manager will come in and save them. But all it appears Parker was doing was asking to be given a fighting chance to succeed.
Invest, or subsidise?
You'll probably get told off but thanks for posting that.
rgb
Star Player
I've included the link.
SlowDownDerek
UTC Legend
I thought it was quite pro Parker. They needed to question whether it is ever acceptable to so publicly criticise your employers and employees.
Yes, exactly what I was getting at. Apart from the lack of criticism of Parker it seemed to be a fair assessment. Parker was far from blameless in how it all ended here for him.
wallmth
Fans' Favourite
He didn’t do himself any favours , but to be fair neither have the people that employed him . The players are just pawns ,as the effort over the last few games seemed to be there .
rgb
Star Player
Exactly. There's a post on here (apols to the poster for not name-checking) that makes clear what would happen to a Sales Manager, who criticised his staff and bosses in the way SP has. It would be the door marked Exit.
If this were a telecomms company and a new Sales Director had pitched up, promised he would deliver more business and damage the competition AND been give 25% more staff, with all the associated costs, of wages, NI payments, sick leave, holiday leave etc. and then 6 months later, started blaming all and sundry, bar himself, for things not working out so well, he would be shown the door with a 3-month package and told to sit in the garden.
SlowDownDerek
UTC Legend
I was just thinking along these lines. Parker brought it on himself. Having said that, as I've said elsewhere, Max etc. have now put themselves firmly in the firing line and simply have to get the next decision right. It's all on them now.
rgb
Star Player
£1 for 3 months. Fill yer boots.
MB1980
UTC Legend
kirsikka
UTC Legend
red_house
UTC Legend
Don't air your dirty laundry in public.
We all know the club has been tighter than a ducks arse since Max turned up but Parker appeared determined to break that.
Something went wrong. I was shocked but feel quite ambivalent. Parker sussed he could air his views with the worse case scenario being a pay off. He walks without another relegation and most of the media on his side oblivious to his previous remarks that turned a fanbase as quick as you like. Hopefully the players can recover from this clusterfcuk....
We all know the club has been tighter than a ducks arse since Max turned up but Parker appeared determined to break that.
Something went wrong. I was shocked but feel quite ambivalent. Parker sussed he could air his views with the worse case scenario being a pay off. He walks without another relegation and most of the media on his side oblivious to his previous remarks that turned a fanbase as quick as you like. Hopefully the players can recover from this clusterfcuk....
wallmth
Fans' Favourite
Ooooh . Nice one .
