Sir Alex Ferguson Inspires Scott Parker after Fulham Appointment

By Joshua Walters 

Scott Parker has admitted to receiving an ‘inspirational’ message from Sir Alex Ferguson after his appointment as caretaker manager for Fulham on Thursday.

The former England midfielder Parker has been put in temporary charge of the Cottagers following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. 

The 2018/19 Premier League has ten games to end, and Fulham are ten points from safety and may head back to the Championship just a year after earning a promotion to the top-flight if things do not turn around.

Parker has found support from Sir Alex Ferguson as he revealed that the former Manchester United manager texted to congratulate and also offer him some technical advice after his appointment.

“I don’t really have many friends, but yesterday the phone was pinging away,’ Parker said. ‘I had some amazing text messages. Sir Alex text me late last night, which was pretty incredible really.

‘To think that he spent the time to write a long, detailed message giving me some advice on how he sees things was truly inspirational really, and I know it sounds a big comment, but it’s the truth.’

Parker’s first assignment is against former club Chelsea at Craven Cottage,and the interim manager is hoping that his ‘energy’ can impact positively on his charges ahead of the Premier League fixture.

‘The situation doesn’t lie. It’s a tough task but I’m relishing the opportunity of testing ourselves against these big teams,’ he added.

‘We need to get a balance back. As a club, as fans, as players, as owners, we just need to regroup a little bit. If we do that well, results will be a by-product of that.

‘I hope I can transmit my passion to the team, get my energy across. I know there’s more to football than passion and drive, but that’s a fundamental element.’

Fulham would face Leicester City, who also have a new manager in ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, after taking on Chelsea over the weekend.