By Michael Madyira
Lyle Foster’s Burnley FC have appointed Scott Parker as their new manager, replacing Vincent Kompany.
The former Chelsea midfielder started work on Saturday soon after his unveiling.
He takes over from Kompany who left the club to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich despite leading Burnley to relegation from the Premier League.
Kompany left a Burnley squad which includes Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster and Parker inherits a group of players he hopes will help him return the club to the top-flight league.
“For us to be successful this year is the most important thing,” Parker told the Burnley website.
“We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of. This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that’s the aim.”
Kompany was unpopular with South African fans after he held Foster back from international duty and would only play him at club football level, claiming the player was not mentally fit for competitive action.
It is yet to be seen how Parker will handle Foster’s mental health issues but for now, the forward’s Clarets future seems secure ahead of the 2024/25 season.
But Parker is likely to demand an improvement from the former Orlando Pirates striker who managed just five goals in 26 appearances across all competitions last season.
In their bid for promotion from the Championship, the ex-England captain will need a prolific strikeforce and a tight defence after Burnley scored 41 goals in 38 league games while conceding an uninspiring 78 times.
“Look, there’s three teams out of 24 in the league this year that are going to be successful and the ratios and numbers are against you in that sense,” Parker added.
“But there are some key ingredients that I’ve learnt in 20 years of playing the game and three as a coach and that’s something I need to instill.”
What gives Burnley confidence in Parker is his glowing record of previously guiding Fulham and Bournemouth to Premier League promotion from the Championship
Pictured above: Burnley FC new manager Scott Parker
Source: Burnley FC
