Scott Parker is on the brink of being sacked as manager of Club Brugge after their humiliating Champions League exit. The Belgian side were knocked out of the competition in the group stages after a 3-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday night.
The result was the final straw for the club’s board, who had already been unhappy with Parker’s performance this season. The former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had been in charge of the club since June 2019, but had failed to make any significant progress in the Champions League or the Belgian Pro League.
Club Brugge had been hoping to make it out of the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2005, but their hopes were dashed after a dismal performance against Zenit. The result left them bottom of the group with just one point from their six matches.
The club’s board have already lined up a replacement for Parker, with former Anderlecht manager Fred Rutten set to take over. Rutten has a wealth of experience in the Belgian top flight, having managed Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Genk in the past.
Parker’s sacking will come as a huge disappointment to the former England international, who had been hoping to make a name for himself in Europe. He had previously enjoyed success in the Championship with Fulham, leading them to promotion in 2018.
However, his time at Club Brugge has been far less successful. The club have struggled to make an impact in the Champions League, and have also failed to challenge for the Belgian Pro League title.
Parker’s sacking is likely to be confirmed in the coming days, with Rutten set to take over as manager. It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can turn the club’s fortunes around, but it is clear that the board have lost patience with Parker.
