Ex-Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Newcastle man sacked after just 12 games at new club

The former Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Fulham player watched from the touchline as Benfica handed his side a 5-1 defeat, after winning 2-0 in the first leg, to send the Belgian club out at the last-16 phase.

A club statement confirmed: “Parker was appointed as Club Brugge’s new head coach on December 31, replacing Carl Hoefkens.

“Before coming to Jan Breydel, the former England international was at the helm of teams like Fulham and Bournemouth. Parker won two of his 12 games for club.”

Parker was sacked by Bournemouth following a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool in August, having oversaw the club’s promotion to the Premier League as they clinched second place in the Championship last term.

The former Spurs and West Ham man also managed Fulham between 2019 and 2021, winning the Championship play-offs with the club in 2020.

His appointment at Brugge came as somewhat of a surprise, as he lost 3-1 in his first game against Pro League leaders Genk. In total he lost four games, drew six and won two.