Fulham boss Parker signs new deal

London (AFP) – Fulham have rewarded manager Scott Parker with a new three-year deal after he won promotion back to the Premier League.

The 39-year-old former England international was named caretaker boss following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri in February 2019 and given the job on a permanent basis despite the west London club’s relegation.

Parker led Fulham out of the Championship at the first attempt via the play-offs and has now been given a new deal until 2023.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal which shows mutual faith and commitment, on both my side and the club’s,” Parker said.

“I’m pleased with the hard work we have all carried out behind the scenes which resulted in achieving our objective of promotion to the Premier League last month.”

Parker made 128 appearance for Fulham and was club captain by the time he retired in 2017, with the former midfielder returning to the club as a coach the following year.

Fulham owner Shahid Khan said: “We believed in Scott Parker when we signed him as a player in 2013, and we believed in him as our caretaker manager at the end of our most recent season in the Premier League.

“Our belief and confidence in Scott is stronger than ever today and is evident in this new three-year contract, which is fully deserved, and I’m thoroughly honoured to offer as we return next week to top-flight football.”

Parker’s deal is a further boost to the Craven Cottage club’s Premier League preparations.

Anthony Knockaert and Harrison Reed have signed permanent deals with the club after impressing on loan, while Antonee Robinson and Mario Lemina have also arrived at the club.