Parker's Presser

Scott Parker was visibly delighted after being named as the permanent Head Coach of Fulham.

Our former midfielder has overseen an upturn in form since taking the caretaker reins at the end of February, and he’s now tasked with ensuring our hiatus from the Premier League is a brief one.

“I’m excited by the challenge,” he said in Friday’s press conference. “I’m appreciative that the owners have given me the responsibility of trying to get this club back into this league that we’re coming out of this season, and building from there.

“Over the course of the last 10 weeks I’ve been in constant dialogue with the owners, with Tony [Khan] who’s been here at the club, discussing the future.

“I’ve said many a time that I was planning for the future because I wanted to leave the club in the best way possible. Things have progressed over the last week or so, this is the way the club want to go, and I’m looking forward to it.

“People can point the finger and say I’m inexperienced in the sense of the role I’m going into, but I’ve got 20 years of playing experience and 20 years of being in changing rooms, recognising players, seeing what you need, the dynamics of different teams, and I want to use that experience and help this football club become successful and move in the right direction.”

Parker is under no illusions as to what is expected from the Whites next season, and he believes his knowledge of the fabric of the club stands him in good stead.

“It’s a two-year contract,” he revealed. “We all realise how football is, and in a short space of time since we’ve taken over there has been improvement.

“I’ve been associated with this club for some time now, as a player for four years and now back here as a coach.

“I know how things work, I know the daily dynamics of the team, I know the daily dynamics of the whole football club.

“I know where we can improve and move this club forward. That’s going to help me and put me on the front foot.”